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Grace Chen
Ms. Trebtoske
Honors English 11A
December 6, 2014
Research Paper: Injustice in the Modern World

Bullying has caused many suicides, violence, and many other traumatic events in the
school system. However, bullying in schools can be decreased by educating bullies and victims
on each others feelings, having more action taken in schools to punish bullies, and teaching
students how to take responsibility for their actions. The background on bullying, the actions
causing it and how it is currently addressed influence the complexity of the issue, making it
unresolved till today.
Bullying has been around for a while and is a major issue since the start of public
education. It was thought to be a rite of passage that children had to endure
(Bullying/Cyberbullying Timeline). Bullying is one type of aggression, common in schools
that is deeply embedded in peer culture and often underreported (Shaw). In the United States,
26 percent of 15-year olds said they had been bullied in the current term (Shaw), meaning onefourth of the 15-year old population face bullying. Many incidents of bullying caused victims to
feel inferior and unwilling to seek help. About 50 percent of parents did not see it as a serious
problem (Shaw), causing situations to worsen and problems not dealt with.
Many components make up and cause bullying, which categorize bullying as a
complicated issue. Bullying has a major connection with students environments and the
influence of peers. Students involved in bullying are more likely to have challenges in school,
to abuse drugs and alcohol, and to have physical and mental health issues (Ahuja). In order to
discard the inferiority or feelings developed from negative influences, bullies often bully
students younger or weaker than them to feel superior. Bullies are ignorant of victims feelings
and the damages they causes. Those intimidated would often fear going to school and facing the
bully. As a result, their academic achievement and ultimately their college and career readiness
(Ahuja) are dangerously endangered. The study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry
reveals that adults who were bullied as children have lower levels of education, greater physical
and cognitive health problems, and poor social functioning throughout their lives, compared with
those who were not bullied (Bullying/Cyberbullying Timeline). Thus, it is proven that
bullying can cause long-term effects that can last for a persons lifetime.

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Currently in the United States, there are numerous campaigns that are trying to resolve
the issue of bullying by directly reaching out to the students. Schools are also punishing students
such as suspensions and calling parents to deal with the issue. Some schools even establish clubs
to better inform students on the issue and help troubled students. At Cherry Hill High School,
David Golkow founded the club Athletes Against Bullying, where he teaches athletes to be
positive role models and help raise awareness about bullying (Giordano). There are laws that
even regulate against bullying. The strongest anti-bullying law in New Jersey was signed by
Governor Christie not long after the 2010 suicide of Rutgers freshmen Tyler Clementi
(Girodano), who got accused of kissing another man in a picture secretly uploaded by his
roommate. Reporting any incidents of bullying, teaching students and training staff about
bullying, and designating an anti-bullying specialist are all the components that the law control
(Girodano). The Fundamental Government also plays a role in anti-bullying by funding an
assortment of work on schools safety projects that monitor trends, provide research and
evaluation, and support technical assistance (Shaw). Many methods are thought to tackle
bullying to formulate a better school society.
Even though there are currently many actions taken to address bullying, the issue of
bullying should be dealt with more seriously than it is currently. Coming up with effective
solutions to deal with the issue is difficult since most people suggest having morals reinforced by
parents and schools. However, bullying needs to be looked as a crime and legal punishments
need to be in place, along with measures so the system isnt abused. Students need to have an
increased accountability for their behavior and the consequences after it because that is what they
deserve (Decker). Bullies need to admit to their faults when accused and receive the punishments
for their behavior. Students need to learn to respect rule and follow them, and schools need to
take action when problems occur (Graham). Schools can educate students on how they will be
affected if rules are not followed and the benefits if followed. Due to the fact that some schools
dont take immediate action or any action at all to deal with bullying, it makes some students
incidents and problems unheard of, resulting in bullies escaping the need to be punished. In order
to solve as many bully incidents that involve violence as possible, schools need to develop
partnerships between the juvenile court, law enforcement, and community (Decker). A system
can be established for victims or witnesses of bullying to report the incident. The perpetrator and
victim are notified after the report to go over and clarify the issue. If the perpetrator objects to
attend the meeting, it will remain as an unresolved report that remains on their record. When the
perpetrator gathers enough reports of bullying, consequences such as juvenile detention, jail
time, boot camp, or even expulsion from school occur. They need to aware those are the results if
they behave in a way that endangers another students safety or life. To decrease mild cases of
bullying, children should be taught conflict resolution beginning at the youngest grades
(Graham). Students who understand how to deal with their issue could probably seek help more
quickly and confront their bully more effectively. Bullies might be able to face the obstacles that
cause their bullying and understand why they bully particular people.

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Bullying prevention is more effective when students, teachers, staff, parents, and juvenile
justice system officials are involved. It brings more unity when addressing the core reasons of
bullying and informs more people to put effort in decreasing it. Bullying could happen to any
child in the United States and affect their well-being in society. If society is willing to lend a
hand to those children, a brighter future can be present for them. They can have an increased
ability in dealing with bullies in the future or even help others that are bullied. Decreasing
bullying incidents with simple concept of respect, reward, and punishment can make the schools
construct a healthier, safer, and more moral environment for students.

Works Sited Page

Ahuja, Kiran. "Strengthening the AAPI Community Through New Bullying Prevention..."
United States Department of Education News. 18 Nov. 2014: n.p. SIRS Government
Reporter. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.
Decker, Scott H. "Increasing School Safety Through Juvenile Accountability Programs."
JAIBG Bulletin. Dec. 2000: 116. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
Giordano, Rita. "Athletes' anti-bullying club at Cherry Hill East is a model." Philadelphia
Inquirer [Philadelphia, PA] 10 Nov. 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13
Nov. 2014.
Graham, Kristen A., et al. "Some Antiviolence Efforts Are Working." Philadelphia Inquirer. 01
Apr. 2011: A.1+. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
ProQuest Staff. "Bullying/Cyberbullying Timeline." ProQuest LLC. 2014: n.p. SIRS
Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.
Shaw, Margaret. "Promoting Safety in Schools: International Experience and Action." Promoting
Safety in Schools: International Experience and Action. Aug. 2001: iii-61. SIRS
Government Reporter. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.