Bruises Hurt; Words Kill
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“...bullying is repeated and intentional harms
directed at a specific person, whereas harassment is unintentional or
intentional behaviours that are discriminatory in nature.”
Bullying is a growing issue in grade schools and high schools everywhere. That being said; the definition that this article gives of bullying seems accurate enough; however, the definition given of harassment seems far too over-simplified and out of touch. The psychological effects of harassment can have just as devastating effects as bullying does; in some cases, perhaps more. Bumps and bruises from physical bullying can heal but verbal harassment can be detrimental for a long time. Harassment, in some ways, is more dangerous than bullying because it is not as conscious of an act. Students who harass other students likely do not grasp the deep rooted effect it has on their victim and because of that continue the harassment more freely, not to mention the effects aren’t visible. Bullying is a more conscious act with visible effects and because of that can be easier to stop.
The school system has taken a huge stand against bullying within the past few years, which is fantastic; however, I believe they need to begin to shed more light on the harassment end of bullying. Students need to be aware that bullying isn’t just physical, it is psychological and the invisible effects of harassment are innumerable and deadly. I believe children deserve to know the effects of their words, and they deserve to know now, before it’s too late for another victim of harassment.
K.D.
Meyer, E. J. (2010). Chapter 6: Understanding the impacts of the school environment. In Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schools: Exploration of Educational Purpose 10 (pp. 101-119). Montreal: Springer.
Bullying is a growing issue in grade schools and high schools everywhere. That being said; the definition that this article gives of bullying seems accurate enough; however, the definition given of harassment seems far too over-simplified and out of touch. The psychological effects of harassment can have just as devastating effects as bullying does; in some cases, perhaps more. Bumps and bruises from physical bullying can heal but verbal harassment can be detrimental for a long time. Harassment, in some ways, is more dangerous than bullying because it is not as conscious of an act. Students who harass other students likely do not grasp the deep rooted effect it has on their victim and because of that continue the harassment more freely, not to mention the effects aren’t visible. Bullying is a more conscious act with visible effects and because of that can be easier to stop.
The school system has taken a huge stand against bullying within the past few years, which is fantastic; however, I believe they need to begin to shed more light on the harassment end of bullying. Students need to be aware that bullying isn’t just physical, it is psychological and the invisible effects of harassment are innumerable and deadly. I believe children deserve to know the effects of their words, and they deserve to know now, before it’s too late for another victim of harassment.
K.D.
Meyer, E. J. (2010). Chapter 6: Understanding the impacts of the school environment. In Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schools: Exploration of Educational Purpose 10 (pp. 101-119). Montreal: Springer.