Essay Example on Bullying: A Common Phenomenon Harming Children and Youth

Introduction

Bullying and teasing have become a common phenomenon experienced by children and the youth majorly in school, the public or the community within which they live. The behaviour does cause not only physical harm but also a long term effect on the psychological health of a child. Bullying can be defined as a deliberate, aggressive behaviour from a person towards another causing fear, hurt, harm or distress which can be physical, psychological, social or academic (Craig & Pepler, 2014). It also entails creating a negative environment either at school, home or in public. The paper will, therefore, explore the aspect of teasing and bullying as it relates to children and their development, discuss the different perspectives and culture as well as recommendations on what can be done in family, community and school.

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Psychological Impact on Victims

One of the critical concerns about teasing and bullying is that it makes both the victim and the offender suffer from a given dimension. When children are teased and bullied, they tend to be affected psychologically as they develop immense fear, and this is an effect that can be detrimental even at adult age (Craig & Pepler, 2014). The children who are bullied and teased become emotionally withdrawn; for instance, those who were talkative and vibrant can become shy and sink into their a lonely world. Shy children lose more of their confidence and hurt in silence. According to UNICEF reports research form the children's world indicates that at least a child is bullied by being left out by others every month in America and at least 2-3 being hit by other in the same frequency (Hiu &Richardson, 2018).

Teased and bullied children are negatively affected in school as their grades begin to drop gradually. When children experience, violence from their peers or people elder than them, they tend to be withdrawn and lack concentration because of fear. The victims begin to miss classes, and when they attend their focus is low (Hebron, Oldfield & Humphrey, 2017). Subconscious issues insecurity begin to creep in, and they can no longer view school as a place for studying but that of terror. A child's cognitive development is affected because they can no longer concentrate and do well in class, even in the areas that they performed best. According to the CDC reports of 2016, 33% of children between the ages of 12- 18 stated that they were being bullied at school (Hiu &Richardson, 2018). A percentage is a significant number because it implies that almost half of the population of school children and bullied a thing that can bring a recording of low individual and school performance.

Additionally, teasing and bullying is an issue that affects a child's social development such that they do not want to interact with others even during playing times. They plunge into isolation for fear of being scolded, hit or embarrassed among others (Hebron, Oldfield & Humphrey, 2017). Social development is a critical part of a child's development journey because it shapes how they relate with other people when they are young and even when they become adults. It is through interaction with others that a child can be able to learn their strengths and weakness and also learn ways to relate with people in society peacefully and harmoniously. Still, when they encounter difficulty in this stage, then their future relationships are hampered.

Similarly, tensing and bullying makes a child develop depression symptoms because of the ordeal they encounter in the hands of the bullies. It is an effect that affects their mental state and can make them have difficulty in sleeping; some can begin to wet their beds at night and also develop psychosomatic symptoms (Hebron, Oldfield & Humphrey, 2017). Such effects can easily affect a child's mental health leading to other illness. Besides, children also develop low self-esteem because they begin to view themselves as weak and less critical, giving them issues with their identity even when they become adults.

Psychological Impact on Bullies

Teasing and bullying affect both the bully and the victim. To the victims, there are various effects as discussed above. To the bully, they might encounter difficulty in relating with people when they become adults; this implies that it destroys their social development skills while they are children (Hebron, Oldfield & Humphrey, 2017). When bullies use their size, economic power and race, among others to victimize, then they will always have their way through violence. When growing up, they will not acquire social life skills as acts of aggression will dominate them. Most bullies also live unhappy lives because no one wants to interact with them because of their violence.

Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development

According to Eric Erickson theory of psychosocial development, social experience impacts a person's whole life span. The method explores how social interactions and relationships play an essential role in the growth and development of human beings. Erikson theory entails eight stages, and they include; "Stage 1 - trust vs mistrust stage 2 - autonomy vs shame and doubt stage 3 - initiative vs guilt stage 4 - industry vs inferiority. Stage5 - identity vs confusion stage 6 - intimacy vs isolation stage 7 - generativity vs stagnation stage 8 - integrity vs despair"(Cherry 2019). Right from the first stage, a child begins to identify themselves with those around them, and they can either develop trust or mistrust. From stage 3, a child begins to exercise power and control, and this is when they are in their preschool years. When children do not get the support, they become guilty, and they will sink in shame and lack of confidence (Cherry 2019). When they are bullied, and their power is taken away, then they become shy, and their confidence is affected. The fourth stage is when children are at the age of between 5 to 11 years they begin to develop a sense of pride and identity, and when they are not able to achieve it they become inferior (Cherry 2019). At this stage, when children are bullied, they will consider themselves weak and less important because they will feel inferior. The fifth stage takes place during adolescence, and it is characterized by identity and confusion. Children explore a lot and find their identity, and when they do not, then they will live in confusion (Cherry 2019). At this stage, when children are bullied, they sink into fear and fail to explore and find their identity fully; therefore, living in confusion. It is the most crucial stage because most children are teenagers and extremely emotional when they are bullied; they end up being shy and not able to develop their true identity.

The UAE culture is strict because of the need to follow Islamic roots. Children are supposed to learn Islamic principles through classes known as Madrasas. Female children are different tough ways from the male (England, 2017) as they are taught to be submissive and respect men. Such a culture is not only biased but kills the true identity of a child. The dominant religion in UAE is that the role of bringing up children is left to a nanny and children might not learn good societal virtues but instead learn from the housemaids (England, 2017). Carmen Benton explains that the culture is not only unfavourable but also affects a child's identity as they do not get their parents touch of upbringing (England, 2017). Carmen explains that children fall behind in their school work and also learn deviant behaviours because they are not closely monitored by their parents. On the other hand, American culture is different because parents majorly take up the role of bringing up their children (Harvey, 2018). in this regard they are able to monitor them and help in shaping their identity according to their desired ways. Children also have a close touch with their parents, and they can seek solace and guidance from them when they are confused (Harvey, 2018). One thing, however, is that American culture is permissive and children can end up indulging easily in drugs and alcohol. Parents can also be alcoholics and fail to be good role models for their children.

Family

Parents and guardians should be close to their children and educate them on the importance of treating others with respect and this way; they will not be aggressive and bully their peers. Similarly, they should discipline children who tease and bully others with a bid to stop the behaviour.

Community

Communities should organize for sensitization campaigns on the effects of bullying on both the victims and the bullies. Laws against bullying should also be put in place to curb the menace. Punishment should also be applied to any offenders so that they can serve as lessons to others to have the same behaviour.

Schools

The educational institution should put strict rules that warn students against bullying and also implement severe penalties such as expulsion in case of bullying others. Additionally, guiding and counselling sessions should be created to help both the bully and the victim on anger management skills.

References

Cherry, K. (2018). Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

England, J. (2017)Raised by maids: how the UAE's nanny culture could be harming our children Retrieved from https://babyandchild.ae/age-0-1/raising-your-baby/article/1098/raised-by-maids-how-the-uae-s-nanny-culture-could-be-harming-our-children. Accessed 4th April 2020

Harvey, J. (2018). Raising white kids: Bringing up children in a racially unjust America. Abingdon Press.

Hebron, J., Oldfield, J., & Humphrey, N. (2017). Cumulative risk effects in the bullying of children and young people with autism spectrum conditions. Autism, 21(3), 291-300.

Pepler, D., & Craig, W. (2014). Bullying prevention and intervention in the school environment: Factsheets and tools. Pobrane z: http://www. prevent. ca/sites/prevent. ca/files/prevnet_facts_and_tools_for_schools. pdf.

Richardson, D., & Fen Hiu, C. (2018). Developing a global indicator on bullying of school-aged children.

Steele, A. (2017). The Psychological Effects of Bullying on Kids & Teens. Masters In Psychology Guide, mastersinpsychologyguide. com/articles/psychological-effects-bullying-kids-teens.