Why Bullying Has Become Rampant in Modern Settings - Essay Example

The prevalence rate of bullying has gone up in many social circles as it is seen as normal in everyday society. In institutions, many consider it a rite of passage as students are initiated into society by their peers after going through different sorts of bullying.

It sometimes takes different forms, for example, it can be verbal, physical, or emotional. The targets of bullying are chosen by their bullies depending on different factors. Some of the common grounds for bullying may circle the gender of an individual, race, class, or at times, appearance (Winkler 76). This paper will examine bullying, and why it has become rampant in modern settings. From a psychological point of view, bullying may be seen as a way for the perpetrator to have power over their victims as a way to cover up some of the insecurities they may have.

To some extent, this may be true. Take for example a school setting where a group of students who do not perform well in classes may pick on students who are considered nerdy or smart. This group is often engaged in sports or other school activities in which the target may not be good, which explains why the bully must take charge of the situation in and out of the classroom. Bullying is happening everywhere and people need to be aware of this. It is not only in schools that bullying takes place.

The workplace, for some people, is becoming a tormenting experience and may cause people to turn against one another, and may sometimes force people to take drastic measures (Juvonen, Graham, and Schuster 1234). This may be either to the bully, or sometimes, to themselves. Regardless of the circumstances behind bullying, the consequences are tremendous. The victim is often left miserable, and many at times left depressed and particularly vulnerable. People are kept from enjoying most of the activities in life, and fail to enjoy the best experience that comes with such activities.

Children who are bullied at a young age often end up being bullies themselves as a way of masking some of the pain and hurt they might have gone through at the hands of bullies. Parents, at times, can also be bullies. Children who do not perform well in school may have to face bullies who come in the form of parents or teachers. This is sometimes done verbally, which inflicts emotional pain on the target. Verbally, bullying may be done through teasing or name-calling to show that the target is not good enough at doing something (Glew et al. 1028). Bullies tend to get into these actions to gain power over their victims or targets, or to stand out in a crowd.

When a bully does some of these actions and they go unnoticed, they tend to think they are being ignored. This pushes them to do hard on their victims to prove a point. They do not stop to think of the consequences or results of their actions on the other individual. Different health problems are often associated with bullying. Victims are known to have adjustment issues later on in life, and tend to have a more violent nature (Cook et al. 69). Bullies often enjoy higher standing when it comes to social standing, while their victims get into depressive states and are marginalized by their peers. Anti-bullying measures are being taught in schools, workplaces, and even in society to try and rectify this problem. 

Violent crimes in history, if looked at keenly, may lead to a surprising conclusion that the perpetrators may have been victims of bullying at one point, or another in their lives.

The problems associated with bullying need to be looked at keenly to be able to stop some of the issues that arise later on in life. Psychologists and pediatricians can recommend institution-based, anti-bullying measures to counter the effect and mentality that may surround bullies and their victims (Cook et al. 72). This may work to decrease some of society’s problems with these different groups of people.