Bullying in Schools

Bullying in school is a very delicate issue, as a set of rules are not enough to contain it. Solving the problem of bullying is far more complicated, considering that a true solution involves a profound education in children from the part of teachers and parents, rather than instructing them with policies and laws.

The National Youth Violence Prevention Center reports that over 5.7 million children in the United States are directly involved in bullying, either as victims or as bullies. These events can lead victims to extreme acts, such as suicide. Bullying is mainly experienced in grades 6 to 10, and it can have a lasting effect even as adults; according to the National Youth Prevention Center, 60% of children who were bullied in grades 6-9 had at least one criminal conviction by the age of 24.

Bullying occurs during the ages in which children develop their character, and I believe this is a factor to be taken advantage of; as children mature and begin relating with their peers, adults should shape them by teach them respect and social skills. Bullying should not be left to mere rules or norms, young children cannot learn the severe consequences of their actions through punishments; teachers and parents must be directly involved, developing a personal relationship with the child and informing them about the wrongness of these actions, and what damages they could cause.