How to reduce bullying in schools - Essay Example

? HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT CAN BULLYING BE REDUCED IN SCHOOLS? goes here] [Your goes here] [Due the paper] Introduction Bullying is a serious issue being faced by many children in schools all over the world (Simpson, 2010). School bullying is one of the worst experiences for the bullied students because it shatters their emotions, feelings, and perception about the outside world. Bullying of any kind is harmful for children whether it is sexual harassment, physical torture, cyber bullying, maltreatment, or some sort of discrimination. The reason is that bullying causes the long term effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in early adult hood that even linger into later stages of life. Depression, loss of self-esteem, and trouble sleeping are just some of the many effects of bullying in children (Sheridan, 2010). In this paper, we will discuss how and to what extent bullying can be reduced in schools. How Bullying Can Be Reduced? Bullying is such a critical issue that needs to be addressed at schools on serious notes. Administrations of schools usually pay little or no attention towards this problem because they do not consider it a serious issue. However, the reality is much different from what it appears to be. Bullying at schools not only put a negative impact on the minds of children but also affects their academic progress. Abused children are usually not able to keep their mind focused on studies because the memories of being bullied appear in their minds repeatedly even if they want to forget it. Therefore, it is the need of today to take some serious steps towards this issue. Let us discuss some of the ways that can be used to reduce bullying in schools. 1. Engaging Students in Multiple Activities (School Level and Classroom Level Measure) A school level measure to reduce bullying is to engage students in a wide range of activities where they should be able to refine their intellectual and sports skills. This will keep students focused on doing different activities instead of thinking negative about each other. For example, at classroom level, teachers should keep students busy in studies by regularly asking questions to them and taking tests. Similarly, at school level, students should be given time to refine their sports skills. At the playgrounds, supervisors should act as role models for students by displaying positive behaviors and giving respect to the students regardless of any differences. Teachers need to have a positive mindset in order for them to be the role models of students (Olweus, 1993). Moreover, they should also be able to supervise and observe their students’ behaviors closely. They should monitor students’ behaviors closely and if they find any irregular behavior related to bullying, they should intervene at the spot and should take the matter to the administration (Smith & Elliot, 2010). The ‘whole school’ approach which includes bullying reduction measures such as school conferences related to development of positive behaviors in students, playground supervision, and effective classroom management can play a critical role in reducing bullying in schools to a great extent. 2. Zero Tolerance Policy (School Level Measure) Another measure that schools can take to reduce bullying is implementation of zero tolerance policy. Administration of schools should develop a policy which should be aimed towards developing the feeling of respect in students for each other and this can only be done when zero tolerance policy for bullying will go side by side. Teachers are the key players in the implementation of this policy. They are the ones who will give warnings and punishments to students on the display of negative behaviors with others. Along with monitoring verbal and physical bullying and taking steps to eliminate such incidents, they should also deal with the cases of cyber bullying effectively because students can also use electronic devices to harass their targets (Hellwig, n.d.). Expulsion of students involved in bullying should also be a part of zero tolerance policy related to bullying. Expulsion will create a fear among other students which will consequently stop them from bullying and harassment. Looking at this aspect, we can say that zero tolerance policy will definitely work well for the cause of reducing bullying in schools. 3. Same Standards for All (School Level Measure) Another measure that schools need to take to reduce bullying in schools is to set same standards for all in every area ranging from classroom activities to playground activities. There should not be any kind of discrimination against any student because it not only destroys the emotions of a student but also gives rise to bullying and harassment as other students also try to enforce their ill wishes on the discriminated student. For example, if a student is discriminated on account of his/her race or color by a higher authority, other students will perceive this act to be legal for them and they will also not give any importance or respect to that student. Therefore, it is very important teachers and all employees maintain same standards for all students regardless of racial, ethnic, religious, or any other differences. 4. A Discipline Plan (School Level Measure) At school level, introducing and implementing a discipline plan can be an effective way to reduce bullying. The discipline plan should include a complete code of conduct regarding interactions between peers. Teachers should make students aware of the guidelines of the discipline plan at the earliest stages of education because whatever a student learns at the earliest stage has a strong impact on his/her mind and classroom behaviors. School administration should take necessary action against any student found violating the discipline plan. Punishments and fines are considered effective measures in reducing negative behaviors among students (Scheve, 2012). Such actions against violators of the discipline plan will definitely have a profound impact on the thoughts and feelings of other students and they will think twice before committing any disgraceful act. 5. Introducing a Mentoring Program (School Level Measure) Mentoring always holds a key place in the personality development of any person whether he/she is an athlete, a student, or a professional. Schools’ administrations should arrange a two-week mentoring program for the students of all grade levels at the start of every academic year in which students should be given lectures on importance of ethics, acceptable and positive behaviors, and good relationships with peers. Mentoring programs should also include information on the ways to handle bullies so that targeted students should not become easy victims of bullies (Wallace, 2012). Mentoring programs related to ethics at the start of each academic year will refresh the knowledge of students about the importance of displaying positive personality traits which will consequently result in putting negative thoughts out of the minds of children. 6. Research should be done and published (Individual and Group Level Measure) It is also important to conduct research related to bullying in schools and its short-term and long-term effects on children. The results will be important for the whole society, as well as for teachers. For society, they will be important because people will get to know about the impact of bullying on the life of young females. The effects of bullying on victims’ lives can last even for their whole life (Abel, 2010). Teachers will also be able to learn important facts from the research which will consequently help them in designing their ethics related lectures. The results will also be important for teachers of schools and colleges who can create awareness among their students about the need to get rid of the habit of bullying others because of its harmful effects on the thoughts and emotions of the victims of bullying. Educators can play a key role in reducing bullying (Tannenbaum, n.d.). Teachers can use the results of research studies to make students aware of what mental state children can go through after experiencing some sort of bullying at a very young age. A teacher can fulfill his/her responsibility by creating a bad image about bullying in the minds of children in order to stop them from doing such acts in any stage of life with other children. However, this social problem can only be alleviated by using the results to create awareness among people about the harms associated with bullying. “Parental involvement often is lacking in bullies’ lives and there seems to be little warmth” (Tamanini, 2009). Along with teachers, parents can also play a valuable role in reducing bullying in schools by increasing the level of their involvement in the lives of their children. Conclusion Summing it up, bullying in schools is one of the most critical problems for children of all ages. Bullying not only affects children’s’ mental development but also affects their academic and social development. It has become a need of today for school administrations to adopt some effective methods to reduce bullying in schools. Given above were some of ways that can be used to overcome the issue of bullying at schools. The point of concern is the introduction and implementation of these methods with due interest because strong mental development of children at school age is necessary for them to excel in personal and professional life successfully. References Abel, C. (2010). What Are the Effects of Bullying on the Victim?. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Effects-of-Bullying-on-the-Victim?&id=4114674 Hellwig, E. (n.d.). 10 Ways to Help Reduce Bullying in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.crisisprevention.com/Resources/Article-Library/Nonviolent-Crisis-Intervention-Training-Articles/10-Ways-to-Help-Reduce-Bullying-in-Schools Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. London: Oxford University Press. Scheve, T. (2012). 5 Ways Schools Can Stop Bullying. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/5-ways-schools-can-stop-bullying.htm Sheridan, J. (2010). Short and Long Term Effects of Bullying - The Victim & the Bully. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Short-and-Long-Term-Effects-of-Bullying---The-Victim-and-the-Bully&id=4615335 Simpson R (2010). Reducing bullying amongst the worst affected. Retrieved from http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Reducing%20Bullying%20Amongst%20the%20Worst%20Affected.pdf Smith, P., & Elliott, J. (2011). Social problems in schools. In A. Slater & G. Bremner (Eds.), An introduction to developmental psychology (pp. 649-680). West Sussex:  Wiley. Tamanini, K. (2009). How Do We Stop Bullying in Schools?. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2009/how-do-we-stop-bullying-in-schools/ Tannenbaum, B. (n.d.). Bullying: How Educators Can make Schools Safer. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/bullying-making-schools-safer Wallace, M. (2012). 7 Ways Schools Can Prevent Bullying. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-raise-happy-cooperative-child/201212/7-ways-schools-can-prevent-bullying Read More