Bullying – Dying to Be Accepted
By K, a GVS 11th grader
I chose to study the subject of bullying because I strongly feel it is relevant to the time we are living in right now. Old modes of behavior that belong in ‘The Old World Order’ are being put away in favor of a new way of thinking about human development. High profile cases in recent times have brought attention to a subject that has long been considered a rite of passage for young people. The true nature of this rite has been exposed as a human rights violation. It is not ‘kids being kids’. It is an institutional and societal-condoned breach of basic trust.
I have been a victim of bullying. It was so degrading, because I didn’t want to be known as weak, but I didn’t want to fight. I also didn’t want to be known as a tattle tale. There is a saying: “Snitches get stitches,” which every high school teenager is familiar with hearing. I walked into a bathroom the first day of school and three boys on the wrestling team confronted me. One of them challenged me and then put me in a chokehold. I was vulnerable and outnumbered. Luckily for me, I have a strong support system at home and the situation was resolved. Still, it stayed with me, in my mind. I can imagine that someone who does not have support at home or does not feel they can talk to their family about bullying would feel very isolated and helpless to take action.
Bullying has become a national epidemic and suicides have drawn attention to the plight of teenagers who are victims of the practice. This is why I chose to write ‘The Ten Amendments’ to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They make provisions for children to be protected from the practice of bullying. It should be a zero tolerance law. No one should be afraid to be who they are because they fear being bullied.
In Philadelphia, seven teenagers were arrested for beating and bullying a 13-year-old boy while filming the event. The callous nature of such treatment has shocked the nation into realizing that actions must be taken to protect children. The most disturbing thing is that several adults are seen walking by in the video.(2)
Bullying takes many forms. To a teen, being excluded from a group can be particularly painful and devastating. Being mocked, teased, or cursed at also causes embarrassment and fear. Physical and emotional aggression are typical maneuvers used by insecure or ignorant people to try to control their peer groups. With girls, emotional abuse is more common and with boys, physical dominance and aggression is a frequently used technique. This is not exclusive though, as numbers have shown that female violence is becoming more and more common.(1) With technology being used by most teens, a new form of bullying called ‘cyberbullying’ has become the latest challenge.
Every adult I know well enough to talk to about their childhood has stories of being bullied, but no one has ever told me that they bullied anyone. Those are the people I’d like to talk to about the effects of bullying. I do know this: the trauma suffered at being bullied stays with you for a lifetime. It never goes away. It steals the self-esteem, diminishes personal power, and creates a weaker self-image that is difficult to overcome in adulthood. Those who triumph are the ones who learned that you don’t have to ‘cope’ with bullying. There are people who will help you. Those who had support can recover from the experience.
How can we stop bullying? As with most human rights issues, with education and awareness comes the solution. I researched several websites that are good informational and support sites. I have included them in this report. Studies show that approximately 10% of students are bullied on a regular basis. This must be stopped, because, as they say on bullying.org, “Everyone has the right to be respected and the responsibility to respect others.”
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO THE
DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Also known as
“THE TEN AMENDMENTS”
Amendment 1 – (made to Article 1)
In regards to the spirit of universal brotherhood, and with partiality to the sanctity of childhood, we recognize the absolute right of the child to be endowed with a protected environment in family, school and community.
Amendment 2 – (made to Article 2)
With respect to the entitlement to rights and freedoms, special dispensation is extended with partiality to the young, ages 0-18.
Amendment 3 – (made to Article 3)
Concerning security of persons, specific consideration is extended to school age children who will be granted protection from bullying, teasing, cruel treatment, and exclusion from peers and educators or other adults.
Amendment 4 – (made to Article 5)
In regards to ‘degrading treatment’, particular reference made to the act of bullying on those of differing views, ethnicities, sexual orientation, religion, and physical presentation.
Amendment 5 – (made to Article 12)
Pertaining to acts committed against honor and reputation, a unique safeguard is extended for school age children who are subjected to gossip and malicious peer campaigns against their person by students, educators, or parents.
Amendment 6 – (made to Article 18)
Concerning ‘freedom of thought’ as mentioned in this article, the right of young people to exercise the privilege of free thought and to possess their own conceptual perceptions apart from those of surrounding peers and adults, whether in family units, educational institutions, religious orders or communities.
Amendment 7 – (made to Article 19)
Article 19 is a component to Article 18, and as such, this amendment is an extension, which states that freedom of expression and opinion is granted to young people in the same determination as it is extended to adults. A provision for young people to adopt an attitude of deference and respect to authority figures while exercising freedom of opinion and expression should be undertaken.
Amendment 8 – (made to Article 26, Section 3)
Parents have the right to choose the kind of education that should be given to their children, with the child being granted a fair say in the choice. Every attempt should be made by parental party to accommodate curriculum and facility to the child’s unique and individual learning style.
Amendment 9 – (made to Article 29, Section 1)
To specify on “the free and full development of the personality”, this provision is granted in equal portions to both child and adult. As such, it is the adult’s responsibility to create an atmosphere conducive to said development, and the child’s responsibility to engender the attitude of effort.
Amendment 10 – (made to Article 29, Section 2)
With regard to “meeting the just requirements of morality and general welfare”, a stipulation is extended to the young, ages 0-18 that expounds upon the meaning of the terms and encompasses the act of creating an environment in which they can not merely be safe, but also flourish.
Sites Visited:
http://stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/
http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Bullying§ion=Facts+for+Families
Youtube.com Bullying Videos
1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtDt50Gl3Gw&feature=related
2 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/02/us/02bully.html?_r=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE5yINOn4N4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wcx2qM5C4g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MxxqcH_Mkc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCH9mt0Pow&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15DEAqe5Aro&feature=related
Posted under Culture, Current Events, Education, Personal Growth, Students and Alumni
This post was written by Global Village School on April 7, 2011
This is very good work; well researched and delivered. I hope it gets shared enough to make a difference!
Melanie R. Meadors
Yes–speak out! It’s really true: if we are going to require that young people attend a huge daily gathering of their peers, then we better be able to ensure emotional as well as physical safety.