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Marlene Almond
Cris Longhurst
English 2010
11/08/2016
A Solution to Bullying
Bullying has been around for ages. Those who were given power and authority
sometimes abuse those very things that have been given to them. Back then and even in todays
society those with higher authority and power call the shots and there are no questions asked.
While those who don't are subjected to a bullys every whim. This is what bullying it is
unfairness, harassment, and torture. It also means harassing and abusing those who seem weaker
or disadvantaged. Bullying is a problem that is overlooked and not really talked about as much as
other issues. There are no limitations when it comes to bullying, it can happen just about
anywhere and to anyone. In 2015 statistics say that one out of four students report being bullied
during the school year (Lessne and Cidade). It also can affect those who are close to us such as
our family and friends.
Victims of bullying may experience short and long term effects such as sleep difficulties,
depression, anxiety, losing self-esteem, or self-efficacy. Their academic performance and
satisfaction may also be impacted; in some cases, in order to avoid the victimization students
may purposely miss classes, or students may struggle in class because their memory is impaired
due to stress levels. Constant harassment and abuse can be very detrimental to the victims
mental health. Though there are no direct relationship between bullying and suicide. A
combination of harassment and suicidal behaviors can ultimately lead to suicide.
Therefore, bullying can impact all areas of a victims life personality, academics, social life, and
physical and mental health.

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Bullying being a complex problem might not have such an easy solution. There however
is a way to somewhat help with the issue. Raising awareness and creating positive support
groups is a good foundation for supporting the prevention of bullying. Think of it this way, if an
individual doesn't know what exactly bullying is and what it can do then how is the individual
supposed to react to it. By raising awareness, we believe that it will somewhat shine light upon
the issue itself. We as a society should not allow those we love are subjected to bullying. We
need to make an effort to bring greater awareness to bullying by joining together.
For the last several decades, bullying has been noted as a serious problem in schools and
it has been noted that students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members need
to work together to address ways to help victims, bullies, and bystanders develop coping
strategies and prevent bullying (Hughes and Jennifer). Some of the solutions are: educating, role
playing, and keeping a focus on good behavior. Teachers and administrators can play a very
important role in solving bullying in schools because schools are generally in their care. They
should set up these programs for the student at a young age to get a better result. Showing them
the negative effects of bullying can have by educating augmenting awareness will bring about
fewer incidents.
The reason that bullies must be educated is that many of them are not aware of exactly
how much they are hurting their victim. This can lead to serious cases such as suicide or a violent
reaction from the victim and causing death but most bullies wouldnt want their victim to
become as suicidal as they have made them. Bullying can come in all sorts of forms and one that
affects girls in particular is a group of so-called friends excluding them from everything. In cases
like these, if the bullies understood that they had become bullies picking on a victim, they may
think twice (Hughes and Jennifer).

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Besides raising awareness about the bullying problem, we should create positive affinity
groups in educational institutions that likes and encourages the same interests as they have, to
address this issue. This will have very positive consequences for the people we love, so that they
are not victims of this severe problem that is causing so much damage in our society today.
In addition to forming affinity groups, I believe that part of the solution of this problem is
the family upbringing and influence which is instrumental in increasing self-confidence and
courage to face threatening situations in life. Moreover, because of the teaching of values and
good principles that they receive in their homes, the children will be better prepared to tackle
bullying situations in schools. Because the family is the first school in which the children
receive instruction from the parents, the family must have conversations often with the children
which will enhance the self-confidence in their children. The empathy and understanding
received from their family will help in reducing the likelihood of victimization among the
children.
According to past research, the most vulnerable students to bullying are those who seem
withdrawn, isolated and alone from others. They can be easy target and victims for bullying and
harassment. For instance, students who tend to sit alone in cafeteria have high probability of
becoming a victim of bullying. If these students became a part of an affinity group that likes and
encourages the same interests as they have, then it can significantly improve their selfconfidence and courage. This in turn will decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of
bullying. In case, they get bullied, then they always have a safe place to go where friends can
help them to stand up against a bully. Moreover, if they sit and walk in the school in a tight-knit
group with whom they share common interests, they will be less vulnerable to harassment and
bullying tactics. Unity and strength in numbers always provides students with a strong and

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reliable defense against bullies. Past research have clearly shown that students who have good
peer social support tend not to be involved in bullying, either as victims or as perpetrators.
Many schools are focusing on the important role bystanders can play in reducing
bullying: telling someone, refusing to engage in the social group behavior, or helping the victim
if it is safe enough to intervene (Hughes and Jennifer). If other students do not support the
bullying behavior, there will be less of a social reward for the bully. Students can discuss these
feelings and safe ways to help; it is important for students to develop the skills and confidence to
effectively stand up to bullying.
In view of the above statements, we can emphasize that affinity groups offer a good
solution and have many positive consequences with regards to bullying. To summarize, affinity
groups are an affordable, easily replicable and powerful solutions for potential bullying victims.
This solution has much more potential in addressing and solving the bullying issues as compared
to the lecturing and warning from the principal or threats of harsh punishment from the school
management. In addition to protecting victims against bullying at school, it will also prepare
them to face bullying at the workplace during their adulthood. If students are able to develop a
strong ability to seek out affinity group which shares the same interests with them, then it will
prove to be beneficial life-long skills in defending themselves against any kind of bullying.

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Works Cited
Lessne, Deborah, and Melissa Cidade. "Student Reports of Bullying and Cyber-Bullying: Results
From the 2013 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey."
National Center for Educational Statistics. N.p., 30 Apr. 2015. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Nurenberg, David. "The Power Of Positive Affinity Groups: A "Sci-Fi" Solution To Bullying."
American Secondary Education 42.3 (2014): 5-17. Professional Development Collection.
Web. 10 Nov. 2016
Hughes, Janette1, and Jennifer Lynn1 Laffier. "Portrayals Of Bullying In Young Adult Literature:
Considerations For Schools." Canadian Journal Of Education 39.3 (2016): 124. Education Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 6 Dec. 2016.