Blogpost 4: Target Analysis

One of the many things that victims ask is why them. Indeed this shows that there is a reason for that. In fact, observers should realize that there is a pattern of which people pick on. Most of these are either people who are different or people they are angry with. So it's important to socialize and blend. But more important is to accept people for who they are. 

As is the problem with bullying, it is a silent problem, as it often goes unnoticed. These are the common qualifications for being a target for bullying. Here I found two articles showing the usual targets of bullying. However, now it is being researched as shown in my previous posts.

One is from Psychology Today called Are you easy target for bullies? by Ronald Riggio. Here he says that the most common factors are most people who stand out. An example is being different as they are easy targets to find. Another is being nice as they can abuse your trust and start to dominate you. Next is being competent as it gives a reason for them to be jealous and more reason to drag that person down to their level. Last is those who aren't leaders as they are more passive and tend to just obey.

According to him "It is important to recognize when bullying exists, and to provide support for targets of bullies." I agree as we already know of its tenacity as well as its effects on each of us. It's important to stop this as soon as possible. If it continues, the victim will only end up being controlled and afraid. Also the victim should learn to stand up and do something after recognizing a bully, such as asking help from authorities such as teachers. 

Another article is from Education.com called Who are the targets of bullying? by B. Kaiser and J. K. Raminsky. Here the authors say that a factor is the victims environment aids in being a target for being bullied. One is that a child is pampered and thus cannot cope with these situations. Another is manipulative parents who control and thus damage the child's self esteem and confidence. Thus, it is easier to be manipulated by others. Basically the targets are children who are raised to be passive. 

"Being bullied has a devastating effect on self-esteem. It's hard for a child to stop thinking that she deserves whatever she gets" she says. I have to agree as that is the side-effects of being bullied. It crumbles your self-esteem, confidence and personal self. Worse is that some turn to bullies themselves and more victims are made.  But if the child continues to loathe on what the bully said, it will only end up controlling and limiting her. The child must also learn to accept weaknesses and learn to change them, as well as not letting it affect the child or even taking it as a challenge. In the end, the child has to do something as well to change the situation as stated below.



Take this to mind.

Blogpost 3: Cyberbullies and effects

We all know how violence existed for a very long time and still stands to this day. We also know how bullying existed for a very long time and STILL stands to this day.It has taken forms such as intimidation, a slap on the head, pants pulled down, beatdowns and rumors. There is always a victim that has to keep up with these things. It pretty much makes them live in fear as that one person continues to mess with him. 

Humanity made life easier with technology. We went to the age of the internet and social media sites. We also have regular old cellphones to smartphones within the likes of the Android series and the iOS series. We have basically evolved in our lifestyle. But guess what, so did the series of neverending activities of what we call bullying. So there's this new thing. It's called Cyberbullying. 

There this article by Jerry Will and Clim Clayburn of University Business entitled The Psychological Impact of Cyber Bullying. 

They point out that, unlike regular bully victims, victims of cyberbullying are humiliated in a worldwide range within 24 hours as almost anything within cyberspace can be seen by anyone and that anything written or blurted out is virtually impossible to delete or take back such as in chats. This in turn affects their well-being, as well as academics, as it affects their self-confidence especially in class. 

They describe that "cyber bullying can be worse than the traditional school yard variety because a cyber bully can remain anonymous by posting unsigned attacks on his/her online social network."  Yes and because of that, it is more dangerous than schoolyard bullies and anything within cyberspace can be seen by anyone and consider how many people use the internet. 

In another article in About.com's bullying segment by Sherri Gordon called What Are The Effects Of Cyber bullying?, the author states that victims experience these feelings.

Victims are overwhelmed especially when many are in on the trick and because the user doesn't know who did it and may have no idea that many people participate on this act. Also, this could make them feel powerless as the victim does not have a clue on who it is and they won't be able to take action on it.

These could also invoke feelings such as disinterest, in life or school. They could also feel anxiety and depression or anger and hatred from all that. Because of these things, the victim may end up having suicidal thoughts or worse.

One of the quotes, by Liza Belkin, states that "The anonymity of the Internet has a way of bringing out the harsh, judgmental streak in strangers who would never belittle another… in person." It is true as the internet masks the bully offender so that person can hack away at cyberspace as much as he wants. Because it's cyberspace, the results are irreversible and the damages are disastrous. 

I shall end this with a picture quote. 

Blogpost 2: What makes bullies tick?

On the first post, we tackled on what bullying is. This time, it's about why do they become bullies. Think about it. Why DO they become bullies? Anybody who has experienced being bullied will definitely have this question in their minds. What makes them tick or what good do they get when they do all this stuff. 

There are even thoughts of revenge on their mind like "Let's see how he does it." or "What if I do that too?" or "". These cases are even worse than the ones above. Why? Because these are the thoughts the poison the mind of one and slowly turn said person into a bully, often worse than the one who bullied him earlier. 

So what turns children into bullies?

Poor Quasimodo.

In What breeds a bully? by Geraldine Kessel of Extension News, she mentioned ways to stop this by reflecting on one's character at home. Being nicer to children and how you respond to situations. She also mentioned the tone and volume of the voice affects what a child learns. Basically, one must become a good example to others

She also said that "studies show that the problem is generally triggered by something in the youngster's environment." True, as it may range from abusive parents, being victimized by another bully and wanting revenge, influences from either media or peers, the desire to be popular or just plain curiosity.One must be aware of the child's environment. Really, it depends on the person. Plus, the author also mentioned ways to stop this by reflecting on one's character at home. Being nicer to children and how you respond to situations.

There is another post by James Lehman of Empowering Parents entitled Why Do Kids Children Teens Bully and How to Stop Bullies. He says that there are many ways to bully someone. There are even less subtle ways like verbally and passively, controlling others through verbal insults and making people feel small. He says that they imply that they have something that may destroy their reputation or worse. These kinds become manipulative and boss everyone around.

The author says that "When a bully feels powerless and afraid, he's much more likely to be aggressive, because that makes him feel powerful and in control." It's true as everyone has a sense of control within them and when continuously being bullied, they find ways to regain a sense of control. This is what starts bullying. But if the bully is stopped early on, it wouldn't happen. Thus, the quote is true and is basically what makes people start bullying others.. 

The ball is our hands now.

Blogpost 1: Kinds of effects in bullying

There are many people who, at some point in their lives, encounter what is known as a bully. There are a lot of them and they exist in every place with a group of people who go everyday such as school. Actually, not just in school, there is also in workplaces, fastfoods and many others. They come from all walks of lives, all ages, all genders, all races, and all cultures.

One of the things I found is that the effects of bullying, both for the bully and the bullied, can be felt even in adulthood. If left unchecked, it shapes the way we live. Next, they generally find someone who is either weaker than them, different from them or having something that can compromise that person's reputation. Though it's usually the first one. Another is that different people react differently to those events. Some are lucky and eventually are left alone and some are not so lucky. They are subjected to different kinds of stuff ranging from childish acts to those outright cruel. These can either toughen the person or create anger in them. 

Who remembers the infamous Columbine High School massacre of 1999? For a brief info, that's when two high school students went on a rampage that left scores of their fellow students dead and the nation completely stunned. The country blamed the game Doom, which the two were avid gamers of, and rallied to take the game down instead of focusing on the deeper psychological issues these troubled boys dealt with.

Yeah, these two.

My first brush with a bully was at fifth grade. I was not even sure how it started. But it went on till I decided to seek assistance from the authorities(namely, my parents and the teachers). I thought that it would stop the incessant pushing and paper throwing and rumor mongering but no. In fact, it merely compelled them to continue, even more than before. 

As years go by, bullying is still existent but less subtle. Probably from slight maturation. Even then, the effect remains the same or sometimes worse.

In an article by Alice Walton at Forbes website entitled The psychological effects of bullying last well into adulthood, study finds, the author states that in a survey, they found out that each one falls at one category of bullying. These are the bullied who never bullied others, the bully and the ones who switch roles. 

The author said that kids in "the bullied" section had greater risk for depressions and anxiety disorders at adulthood. The "switcher role" section most likely suffered from these depressions already, including suicidal thoughts and panic disorders. Interestingly, the bullies did not have these risks but instead are at risk for antisocial personality disorder.

Alice Walton added "The fact that depression was such a risk in later life, for both sexes, the authors say, provides strong evidence that being a victim of bullying or being both a victim and a perpetrator is a risk factor for serious emotional problems…independent of preexisting problems.”  So bullying does have its risks. In fact, this would pose a big problem for us and the next generation.

In another similar article by Steven Reinberg of Health US News called Childhood bullying can leave lifelong scars, it is stated that kids that had been bullied and also bullied other kids seemed to be in the worst lot. They had thoughts of depression and hurting themselves when they were adults. They have the worst long-term outcomes.

So bullying does have its risks. That's why intervention is so important. But it's still like a survival of the fittest thing to some.

Yeah, right.

Taken from the aforementioned article, Reinberg says a known quote, “Bullying is not just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up”

It's true but society keeps pushing it to become a fact. That is what mustn't happen as it will become a fish-eat-fish world in school, as well as creating more Columbine incidents. Hopefully it will take a turn so the next generation won't have the same experience. 

It is in the hand of that person's parents and friends whether that person suffers or not. Intervention is really important in these cases as even a person's life may be at stake.

By the way, are you the bully, one of the bullied or both?