According to experts, bullying can have negative lifelong consequences both for students who bully and for their victims. They both appear to be at greater risk for engaging in more serious violent behaviors, such as frequent fighting and carrying a weapon. Michael Josephson, founder and president of the institute, stated, "If the saying 'sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never harm me' was ever true, it certainly is not so today. "Insults, name calling, relentless teasing and malicious gossip often inflict deep and enduring pain. ... It's not only the prevalence of bullying behavior and victimization that's troublesome. The Internet has intensified the injury. What's posted on the Internet is permanent, and it spreads like a virus — there is no refuge. "The difference between the impact of bullying today versus 20 years ago is the difference between getting into a fistfight and using a gun." Some highlights of the survey In perhaps one of the largest studies conducted on bullying, the researchers questioned 43,321 teens aged 15 to 18 from 78 public and 22 private schools. The survey found that at least 50 percent had "bullied, teased or taunted someone at least once," and 47 percent had been physically abused, harassed or threatened in a way that seriously upset them. Some startling trends were revealed. Nearly 33 percent students felt violence was prevalent in school and 24 percent feared school and considered it to be an unsafe and unhappy place. Violence was not just limited to verbal taunts. The survey revealed that 52 percent had physically assaulted a person in a fit of anger in the past year. In addition, the survey found that 10 percent had carried a weapon to school while 16 percent had come to school under the influence of liquor at least once in the past one year. "The combination of bullying, a penchant toward violence when one is angry, the availability of weapons and the possibility of intoxication at school increases significantly the likelihood of retaliatory violence," Josephson said.
The survey found that at least 50 percent had "bullied, teased or taunted someone at least once," and 47 percent had been physically abused, harassed or threatened in a way that seriously upset them.
Some other findings Another interestingly aspect of the survey was that only 28 percent of the respondents (37 percent of boys and 19 percent of girls), believed that hitting or threatening someone is acceptable. Additionally, 21 percent students reported having mistreated someone because he or she belonged to a different group. Also, 23 percent admitted to being bias towards certain groups and 42 percent said they had used racial slurs. Consequences of bullying To simply assume that bullying is just a normal part of growing up is a misconception. Bullying is a serious problem that can dramatically affect the ability of students to progress academically and socially. Victims of bullying are typically anxious, insecure, depressed, sad and suffer from hopeless, low self-esteem, lack social skills, experience loneliness, sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts. Teens who are victimized are also inclined to the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and indulge in reckless sexual behavior. These risk behaviors are linked to negative health effects and poor mental health status. A comprehensive intervention plan that involves all students, parents, educators and lawmakers is needed to ensure that all students can learn in a safe and fear-free environment. ]]>