problem essay

Dr. Ferreira

ENG 101: Writing and Research 

March 20, 2016

​ Childhood Bullying

Childhood should be the most enjoyable and influential time in an individual's life. Some of our best memories and character building experiences occur when we are children, whether it be our first time riding a bike, the first summer we’ve learned how to swim, or even graduating from school. These are all experiences that have molded us into the adults that we have become today. Although not every event in childhood was perfect, the obstacles we faced helped prepare us for greater challenges later on in life. Unfortunately, this is not the case for young people today, as they face different issues from those of past generations, which makes some choices even more difficult. Technology is one of those areas, and although it makes our lives easier, some individuals can also misuse it, resulting in Internet addiction and lack of social skills. However, we do not need to point the finger at only electronic sources, as many of these problems occur on a daily basis right in our schoolyards. One of these is bullying, which robs children of the opportunity to enjoy their childhood.

​ The possibility of performing poorly in school is higher for children who are bullied, as opposed to those who aren't. For example, a child or teenager who's taunted for not dressing up to what his or her peers may set as the standard will relate going to school as something negative, merely a place where the abuse occurs, instead of a haven where he or she can be at ease and just worry about learning. Therefore, victims often avoid attending classes or school altogether, which will affect their attendance. Not attending school prevents a student from learning specific lessons on a particular day, and those who do show up become so consumed by the bullying itself that there is a lack of focus on studies, which affects the ability to grasp what's being taught. In addition, as an attempt to stay off the radar or avoid being the center of attention, participation may be nonexistent because of the constant fear of being ridiculed. Teachers and parents may assume that these behaviors are symptoms of a lack of interest in learning or poor motivation, when it’s deeper than that. The bullied child isn't given the chance.

In addition, children who are bullied often face psychological issues. They are shown to be at a higher risk to become depressed, deal with anxiety, loneliness, and self-hatred. For example, a child who may be bullied because he or she is obese will suffer emotionally, as schoolmates call him or her names such as, “fat pig” or “blimp.” As a result, the youngster begins to internalize these taunts, and because she or he is afraid to reveal this issue to an adult, he or she is left alone to handle such feelings. The child may begin to withdraw from favorite activities with peers, such as exercising and playing, which may send one into a state of depression and loneliness, since one is continually isolating. This child may also have a permanently tainted image of him or herself, which can lead to serious health problems, including eating disorders like as Bulimia and Anorexia, which stem from a child’s beginning to believe that one deserves the names one is called, and instead of blaming the tormentors, the victim places the censure on food, which now becomes the enemy. The result is starvation, a means of punishing oneself for being overweight--the only way the youngster believes she or he can have control over this predicament. ​

​ Childhood bullying is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Bullying has many negative effects on our children's day-to-day lives, including their psychological and emotional states. This crime can also affect our children academically, which will place burdens on their progress in education. Childhood is about being emotionally free, careless living, and the enjoyment of life, where important lessons are learned, such as gaining confidence, self-love, and appreciation. The building blocks of adulthood all begin here, and these attributes should not be skewed by anyone, especially not a bully. However, without identification and early intervention, young people’s live are at risk. If we truly believe that children are our future, then we have the responsibility of rescuing them from such horrible abuse, of punishing their tormentors, and of ensuring that their lives do not become a nightmare.