Do We Really Address the Problem?

There has always been an issue with bullying and people have tried to help stop it by taking certain actions, but have they made the right ones regarding the bully? When a kid is being bullied everyone usually automatically points at the bully for doing something wrong and making them get in trouble, but do they really get down to the bottom of why they were bullying in the first place? Or did they just get the bully to stop bothering other kids because of fearing the consequences?

At first, before getting really into the issue of bullying I used to think that there was no concrete reason of why someone can bully someone else, it was just unacceptable in my eyes no matter what, but as time passed by and done more research I have definitely changed my perspective towards how this may occur and why it leads students to take this action. In an article called “ The Secret Life Of Bullies: Why Do They Do It and How to Stop Them”, I have been challenged into accepting that it may not be the bullies entire fault of the way they act. James Lehman addresses the fact that kids see it as the “easy way out”. “it’s easier to bully somebody than to work things out, manage your emotions, and learn to solve problems.” Not many kids know how to approach their problems or who exactly to go to for help, so they opt the easy way out and take it out on other kids making them feel superior and making them feel as if they are getting it “their way”. These problems can include emotional distress, low self esteem, harsh parenting by caregivers, etc. Children with divorced parents or neglected children don’t often get the attention they need at home so they find their attention they seek for by bullying others making them feel in power over them.

James Lehman has made me see more in depth that maybe not always the right actions are taken and there needs to be something done to help out the bully as well not just point the finger at them. There is so much more beyond what it appears to be and I believe that these students need just as much help in finding their inner peace and seeing what really is going on with them and how we can help!