Something is happening in high schools. Something really serious and frightening but it hurts you not only physically, which is bad enough, but also mentally and emotionally. This problem is bullying. We may think that bullying may be only physically like beating and taking away your lunch money, as a matter of fact; bullying can come even in the most unnoticeable form ranging from name-calling to insulting another’s body figure. What is bullying? Is just stepping on someone shoe call bullying? Well, bullying is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over another person. Some of the ways they bully other people are by: calling them names, saying or writing nasty things about them, leaving them out of activities, not talking to them, threatening them, making them feel uncomfortable or scared, taking or damaging their things, hitting or kicking them, or making them do things they do not want to do. These are the examples of bullying. You may think that tiny issues like not talking to them is just a harmless joke but you did not know that by doing this, you are actually hurting them mentally and emotionally. This just has the same meaning as thinking that no one loves you and you are unlikable. You may take it as a harmless joke but you have just inflicted a “scar” on he or she. Not the ones that are inflicted physically, but scars that are mentally inflicted which cannot heal. The victims will be haunted by throughout their life.
Now we know bullying is a really horrible thing to do, why do some people or students do such kind of things? There are a lot of reasons why some people or students bully. They may see it as a way of being popular, or making themselves look tough and in-charge, someone of power and think that others will respect them. Some bullies do it to get attention or things, or to make other people be afraid of them. Others might be jealous of the person they are bullying. They may be being bullied themselves. Some bullies may not even understand how wrong their behavior is and how it makes the person being bullied feel. They are selfish human beings who think solely of themselves and thought that the more frightening you are, the greater respect you will get. This kind of concept is totally irresponsible. Being intimidating does make others respect you but not because that admire you but it is because they are afraid of you which is totally the wrong theory.
Why are the people getting bullied? Is it because they are weak? Well, some young people or students are bullied for no particular reason, but sometimes it's because they are different in some way - perhaps it's the color of their skin, the way they talk, their size or their name. Sometimes young people are bullied because they look like they won't stand up for themselves. Those who get bullied will lose self-respect and integrity. Singapore is practicing racial harmony so as to prevent any racism between the different cultures and beliefs. Those who are being bullied think they are weak but they are not. Some people think bullying is just part of growing up and a way for young people to learn to stick up for themselves. But bullying can make young people feel lonely, unhappy and frightened. It makes them feel unsafe and think there must be something wrong with them. They lose confidence and may not want to go to school any more. It may make them sick. All they have to do is just stand up to them and tell them to stop it because it is hurting them emotionally, mentally and physically. If it persists, call for help, not your gang or anything but help as in confiding to your parents, teachers and the principal. If you find it difficult to talk about being bullied, you might find it easier to write down what's been happening to you and give it to an adult you trust.
What can we do if we see someone else like your friend getting bullied? Well, if you see someone else being bullied you should always try to stop it. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying is okay with you. It’s always best to treat others the way you would like to be treated. You should show the bully that you think what they're doing is wrong as it is hurting others. Help the person being bullied to tell an adult they can trust. Also give them advices on standing up and facing their fear of bullies. Bullies are just human being who have not yet grasped the true meaning of respect and think only of themselves. If you think you are strong, then you are. If you think you are weak, then you are.