Thoughts on Bullying

On April 8^th, 2009, an eleven year old boy in Massachusetts put a rope around his neck and killed himself. His name was Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, and he was constantly bullied at school in the weeks leading up to his death. Carl’s case may seem extreme to some people; however, the torment he went through happens to thousands of children every day. Bullying can destroy a child’s sense of confidence and security, replacing it with a vale of loneliness and despair. However, just because it occurs frequently doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. Schools and students can work together to come up with innovative strategies to curb bullying, and help the futures of children like Carl. Bullying is a tragic problem with solutions involving compassion and friendship.

One way schools can stop peer abuse is by teaching compassion to the students. People who care about each other are much less likely to be hurtful. This can be accomplished by encouraging kids to meet each other, and connect on more than an academic level. The more that children can connect with people their age, the less likely they are to bottle up their feelings and lash out. If schools were to make it mandatory for every student to be in at least one extracurricular activity, whether that be sports, music, theater, or anything else, every child could be introduced to a support-network they could relate too, based on similar interests.

Being friendly with anyone is a great and easy way to deter bullying. Every child needs a friend to be there for them when times get tough. At my school, this is what I’m already doing. I am a member of the Lifesavers organization, a peer-counseling group that offers to listen to anyone, while pledging never to reveal secrets. This prevents bullying because it provides a supportive trust network for fellow students.

By promoting compassion and friendliness, schools can impede bullying. Getting kids involved and letting them express their feelings to peers can significantly decrease peer abuse rates. Making these changes would ensure a brighter, safer future for us and our children.