Bullying in Schools

Bullying in schools is as old as any problem that plagues schools, and yet it is one of those cases that receive the least amount of attention. The air of denial is sometimes so pronounced that some schools brand themselves as "bully free" institutions. In the end, these downplayed incidents leave victims traumatized and scarred for many years while the culprits gain more confidence to continue with their evil deeds.

Physical abuse, taunting, and exclusion of the victim from popular groups and pasttimes are some symptoms of bullying in schools. The victims are usually those students who are typically insecure, branded as "nerds", and lack a circle of friends.

Although most victims of bullying in schools are too meek to take matters into their own hands, a few of them can be pushed to certain critical limits. Shooting incidents such as the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre have raised speculations that bullying in schools can lead to dire consequences.

Even if the connection between bullying and that specific incident has been subject to much debate, the connection between bullying and dire consequences isn’t in doubt. A study showed that 60% of identified bullies during their grade 6-9 years eventually got involved in at least one criminal conviction by age 24. Clearly it's a problem that builds to later consequences, and something has to be done to prevent it, to stop bullies as early as possible.