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Bullying: Another Cancer To Society

Hey there! Welcome to Youth Convo. Thanks so much for tuning in. If you still haven’t subscribed to our mailings list please do hit the subscribe button right at the top of this page to get constant reminders and updates on all Youth Convo posts and events. Today we will be unpacking the issue of bullying and as usual; we start from the basics:


What is a bully?

bully

/ˈbʊli/


Verb, Noun

An individual who habitually seeks to harm, intimidate, or coerce someone perceived as vulnerable.


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What then is bullying?


Bullying is a repeated act of aggressive behaviour with the intent to hurt another individual whether physically, emotionally or mentally. It is categorized under aggressive behaviour characterized by an imbalance of power, hostile intent and repetition. These characteristics can be achieved through the use of force, teasing, coercion, intimidation or threats of physical abuse and defamation of character. How bullies are perceived by their peers is of great influence to their impact as it is a prerequisite that they be perceived as above others, better than others and of great social influence.


The spectrum of bullying varies from face to face individualized bullying where a person intentionally inflicts injury or discomfort upon another person to mobbing where a group converges on an individual or individuals carrying out the ‘orders’ of the leader. Bullying can take place anywhere from your own home, the workplace and most commonly of all, at school. In the last decade, bullying has migrated to social media and changed the bullying culture. One used to be able to rely on the fact that once they got home, they would be in their safe space. Hence, now bullying is divided into four types of abuse namely


1. verbal –making fun, teasing, name calling.

2. physical –tripping, hitting, pushing.

3. cyber –spreading lies, rumour and images to torment victim.

4. psychological –threats to do harm, forcing into doing something.


Victims of bullying tend to have one similar characteristic; the simple fact that they fit into the box of what the bully considers the ‘norm.’ Appearance, gender, religion, race, intelligence, class, sexual orientation, personality amongst other things are all reasons as to why one might be subject to bullying. A study done shows that one in five students aged 12 – 18 say they have been bullied. An even greater number states that that they experience bullying online.


Effects of bullying on mental health.


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Bullying can affect mental, physical and emotional health during school going years and into adulthood. It can lead to physical injury, social or emotional problems and in some cases, even death. The effects of bullying go far beyond the school going years.

Bullied adolescents are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and sometimes long-term damage to self-esteem because of continuous targeted torment. Victims often feel lonely. Some victims may fight back with extreme, sudden violence which may have its own repercussions. Unbeknownst to most people, witnesses or bystanders of bullying are affected as well. They may experience increased anxiety and depression that can affect their performance due to fear of the bully and upset because they wanted to intervene and did not.


Bullies are at higher risk for anti-social, sometimes violent behaviors like getting into fights, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and destruction of property. They often have problems with schoolwork and eventually drop out. It makes them more likely to abuse substances and alcohol. This behaviour can continue into adulthood if it is nurtured. At this point, they are more likely to abuse their partners and spouses, or their children, or to engage in criminal activities.


There is no direct relationship between individuals who have been bullied and individuals who commit suicide, because it is not brought on by a single source of trauma. Bullying can contribute to the severe feelings of helplessness and hopelessness associated with suicidal behaviours. Victims who experience continued, frequent bullying are at greater risk for suicidal behavior. Individuals on both sides of the spectrum, both a bully and a victim of bullying, have the highest risk for such suicidal behaviour.


We hope you now have an idea of what bullying is and its effects on one’s health. Go ahead to our Instagram Page and share your views and experiences in relation to bullying. The comments section is also at your disposal. Stay tuned for more enlightening content. We love you. Take care!



 
 
 

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