Premium Essay

School Bullying: a Dangerous Norm

In: Social Issues

Submitted By mcreyes93
Words 3231
Pages 13
School Bullying: A Dangerous Norm
“Because he was short.” This is the response the media received when Jon Carmichael’s friends were asked why he was bullied to the point of taking his own life. In 2010, Carmichael hung himself in his family’s barn after incessant verbal and physical abuse. Besides being the target of homosexual slurs, he was thrown into trashcans on a weekly basis and held upside down over a toilet in the school’s bathroom while his head was flushed over and over. There is now a $20 million federal lawsuit against the school for negligence and rightfully so, because the most appalling part of this whole tragedy is the fact that Carmichael was only 13 years old. The lawsuit claims that several members of the school’s faculty witnessed the bullying and did not report it. It also states that an unknown staff member even filmed one incident and posted the video on YouTube (Kuo & Cooper, 2011). Unfortunately cases like this one are occurring far too frequently in our society, and the ages of these victims who commit suicide are dropping. Carmichael’s tragic ending is just one horrific example of what can happen when school officials choose to look the other way after witnessing bullying.
The purpose of this proposal is to convince readers that school administrators need to actively identify and attend to the bully’s potential psychological issues, instead of focusing on the victim’s behavior. When faculty members ignore confrontations between students, they support the bully’s actions and force the target to carry another burden alone. I am not an expert on this topic, but I do have experience with being bullied and witnessing several altercations involving my sister. I know firsthand the negativity it can bring to a victim’s life and how discouraging it is when the school’s administrators choose to turn a blind eye. Contributions from education

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Caring for Children: Factors Which May Lead to Suspicion of Maltreatment

...When an individual is caring for children and young people they have a responsibility to make the safety of these people a priority, doing all they can within their power to protect them. There are many different types of abuse that may occur and it is important for care workers to have awareness and knowledge regarding types of maltreatment, risk of maltreatment and indicators of maltreatment in order to take appropriate actions and promote the safety of the child or young person. If someone is to deliberately cause a child physical harm this is physical abuse. Physical abuse may be displayed in the form of hitting, kicking, biting, drowning, suffocating or using items within the environment to cause harm such as throwing objects at the child or by using a match or oven to burn them. There may be many signs and indicators of physical abuse. Children often fall over and bump into objects due to poor awareness and coordination, meaning they may have bruises and cuts on their body. It is important for care workers to keep this in mind and maintain perspective of the situation. However it may be cause for concern when an injury is unexplained, for instance if the child has injuries that the care worker has not been informed about for example if it happened in the morning when a different staff member was on duty and they did not pass along or record this information, or if the child can't seem to properly explain where the injury came from for example by telling the care worker...

Words: 2076 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Juvenile Crimes

...Juvenile Crimes and Social Deviance Juvenile crimes have been decreasing since their all-time high in 1994 however the nature of their crimes had been drastically changing for the worse. Social deviance is defined as actions and/or behaviors that violated social norms. Over the past few decades many children have desired to be deviant while others have been forced into it. Petty crimes are becoming more common in today’s society, which is causing kids to have to go to more extremes to be deviant and thus resulting in more severe reactions to this behavior. The cause of juvenile violence is frequently related to one of two things; the child was exposed to violence when they were young or they are trying to fit into a deviant crowd. In 2008 approximately 10% of the children under 18 had been injured in an assault, 46% had been assaulted and 60% had been exposed to violence and/or crime. (Crime Solutions) Children who have been exposed to violence when they were young are more likely to commit crime when they are older. Children who were younger than 12 when they were exposed to the violence or crime are the most likely to commit crimes later in life. (United States Department of Justice) Children who face violence at home are also more likely to become a runaway, which makes it much easier to run into the wrong crowd. There is an increasing amount of children in abusive homes who end up trying to become vigilantes towards the abuser in order to make the abuse stop...

Words: 2541 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Sample Only

...“PEER PRESSURE AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THE CRIMINOLOGY STUDENT OF NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR SCHOOL PERFORMANCE” THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION What is peer pressure? How does peer pressure affect on the school performance of the criminology student? There are such several factors that affect in their school performance. There are some programs on how to control and manage peer pressure. People grow older; people may be faced with some challenge decision. Some don’t have a clear right or wrong answer. Other decisions involve serious moral questions. Making decisions on own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to make pressure the people one way or another it can be even harder. People who are teenagers and adolescence, like classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how the act, to get to do something, it’s called peer pressure. It’s something everyone has to deal with, even adults. Maybe others want to do it, and just don’t have to courage to do it and friends talk them into it. Peer pressure can be broken down into two areas, good peer pressure and bad peer pressure. Peer pressure was always thinking of it in bad terms. In terms of pressuring others into, smoking, do illegal drugs, drink alcohol, have promiscuous sex, engage in criminal and quasi-criminal, behavior, do violence, join gangs, and so on. Thinking of the many good ways that peer pressure can influence and neither...

Words: 6329 - Pages: 26

Premium Essay

How Technology and Social Media Control Children and Adolescents

...Neyva Hernandez Jeffery Runyon ENG122 December 11, 2013 How Technology and Social Media Control Children and Adolescents Incredibly many people look at their phones throughout the day to see if they have a text-message, email, notification from social media, missed calls, or simply just because it has become an addiction. Technology has been changing over the years, and new apps and newer upgrades for electronic devices are being developed. High tech is advancing at an incredible rate. Consider how technology has expanded and evolved in the last ten years. How to manage this new phenomenon was not taught to us as children because it did not exist. Many children and adolescents born in the 20th century cannot imagine their lives without TV, smart phones, computers, tablets, or iPods and many other devices; youth have technology surrounding them. As a result, many of the young people raised in the world of technology do not have the same level of emotional skills of those ten or more years ago. Adolescents and children depend on the Internet more than on themselves. They no longer have the same innovativeness. Obesity and cyber bulling has increased over the years. More suicides have occurred. Those who are exposed to violent video games, movies and TV programs have shown aggression. However, parents do not realize how those devices affect their child’s development. Social media already affects many adults; now think about how strongly modern technology affects toddlers...

Words: 4206 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Bullying in the Schools and Teacher Perceptives

...CHAPTER TWO Review of Literature Introduction Current educational research on bullying imbedded in bullying programs instruct Educators on how to handle different aspects of bullying episodes and, on how to instill an understanding of student’s perceptions of bullying incidents, however, not all teachers have the same perception of bullying interactions. Everyone comes to the table with their own set of definitions and perspectives based upon their background and upbringing. There is a need to examine these varied perceptions and understandings and how people in schools define and respond to bullying. There are critical gaps in the existing research on this subject and by identifying and understanding teacher perceptions of bullying in this time frame of 2013, response to incidents involving student bullying will provide useful insights while also providing future researchers points of comparison. The purpose of Chapter Two is to support examination of my body of research and to determine similarities and differences in teacher perceptions of bullying in their schools. Background information will be provided to the reader on the kinds of bullying and their definitions, and what affects accompany bullying episodes and current existing attitudes about bullying. Review of the Related Literature Bullying has been come to be defined as the repeated aggressive behavior that can be either physical, psychological to...

Words: 9613 - Pages: 39

Premium Essay

Philosophy

...1. EFFECTS OF BULLYING _________________ Undergraduate Thesis Presented to theFaculty and Staff of the College of CriminologyNueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Cabanatuan City ___________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject Psychology ___________________ By Marlon de Lara Cedric D Jale Arceo Arnie Angelo Andulan Melvin Marcelo Mark Joseph Arenas Maricris Estrada Jaypee Grospe Eddie Boy Tamares Rommel Grospe Jimver Reyes 2. Acknowledgements The researcher’s wishes to express their deepest gratitudeto the special people who have extended their assistance for thesuccess of this study; The Almighty God, who is the source of life and strength ofknowledge and wisdom. Mrs. __________________ for her genuine apprehension,encouragement, patient and guidance and whose expertise andknowledge were generously shared; To the fellow classmates, for sharing their knowledge andidea in helping the researchers in the construction of theproject; To the beloved parents and guardians for untiring love andsupport; The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, this piece of work washeartily offered. 3. DEDICATION The researchers would like to dedicate this study to theAlmighty God, to their beloved families and friends, to theirAlma Mater- the Nueva Ecija University of Science andTechnology, to their classmates, instructors and to theprofessor of this subject Psychology __________________ The researchers would also like to dedicate this project totheir fellow criminology...

Words: 8371 - Pages: 34

Free Essay

Teaching Styles

...make the diagnosis (such as "defiance" and "rule breaking") can be hard to define. For an accurate diagnosis, the behavior must be far more extreme than simple adolescent rebellion or boyish enthusiasm. Conduct disorder is often associated with attention-deficit disorder. Both conditions carry a risk for alcohol or other drug addiction. Conduct disorder also can be an early sign of depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms Children with conduct disorder tend to be impulsive, hard to control, and not concerned about the feelings of other people. Symptoms may include: * Breaking rules without obvious reason * Cruel or aggressive behavior toward people or animals (for example: bullying, fighting, using dangerous weapons, forcing sexual activity, and stealing) * Failure to attend school (truancy -- beginning before age 13) * Heavy drinking and/or heavy illicit drug use * Intentionally setting fires * Lying to get a favor or avoid things they have to do * Running away * Vandalizing or destroying property These children often make no effort to hide their aggressive behaviors. They may have a hard time making real friends. Exams and Tests There is no real test for diagnosing conduct disorder. The diagnosis is made...

Words: 3580 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Teenager Obesity and Societal Bias

...against weight discrimination. The common thought that obese patients did that to themselves triggers negative attitudes, societal stigma and/or unfair treatment of the overweight or obese patient. Obesity is prevalent in our society with 30% of the adult population considered obese. Within that population, teenagers are even more vulnerable than adults and can be more deeply affected by compromised preventative care, whether because of themselves or society (Puhl, 2009). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011), among U.S. high school students * 12% are obese. * 29% drink at least one soda a day. * 23% do not have 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the survey. * 67% did not attend PE classes daily when they were in school. * 33% watched television three or more hours per day on an average school day. * 25% used computers three or more hours per day on an average school day. Because body fat levels change as children grow and mature, doctors use gender-specific BMI-for-age charts to identify overweight boys and girls. Children and teens with a BMI-for-age above the 95th percentile are more likely to be at risk for cardiovascular disease and to become overweight adults (“Overweight American face serious health risks.” 2002). The obese teenager population is increasing and as health care providers, we need to be aware of the weight bias nurses often have toward this...

Words: 1506 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Teenage Rebellion

...both types, rebellion attracts adult attention by offending it. The young person proudly asserts individuality from what parents like or independence of what parents want and in each case succeeds in provoking their disapproval. This is why rebellion, which is simply behavior that deliberately opposes the ruling norms or powers that be, has been given a good name by adolescents and a bad one by adults. The reason why parents usually dislike adolescent rebellion is not only that it creates more resistance to their job of providing structure, guidance, and supervision, but because rebellion can lead to serious kinds of harm. Rebellion can cause young people to rebel against their own self-interests -- rejecting childhood interests, activities, and relationships that often support self-esteem. It can cause them to engage in self-defeating and self-destructive behavior - refusing to do school work or even physically hurting themselves. It can cause them to experiment with high-risk excitement - accepting dares that as a children they would have refused. It can cause them to reject safe rules and restraints - letting impulse overrule judgment to dangerous effect. And it can cause them to injure valued relationships - pushing against those they care about and pushing them away. So adolescent rebellion is not simply a matter of parental aggravation; it is also a matter of concern. Although the young person thinks rebellion is an act of independence, it actually never...

Words: 4580 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Analysis

...TV/Movie Analysis (Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns) Introduction Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns is an American sitcom created and produced by playwright, director, and producer Tyler Perry. It is made in the model of his play and film of the same name. The show stars David Mann and Tamela Mann, who starred in the earlier stage play and motion picture. The main premise of this program is to reflect the lifestyle and culture of the African-American family and shows the different relationships that the family cultivate during many challenging times and oppositions. It also revolves around a senior family living under one roof in Decatur, Georgia led by patriarch Mr. Brown and his daughter Cora Simmons.(‘Meet The Browns' – 2008-08-26, Broadcasting & Cable".) Show Attributes Who are the main characters? The show revolves around the misadventures of the multi-generational Brown family. They live in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. All main cast members are credited only for the episodes in which they appear. It is a comedy sitcom that consists of a total of 9 main characters that makes up the show with all having a very vital role displaying to the audience of a family oriented lifestyle that faces many everyday life challenge where they seek ways to overcome. David Mann in the sitcom plays as Leroy S. Brown: The show's main protagonist, Mr. Brown is a church deacon who's very proud about being saved. He is 79 years old, making him 74 during the first season and 76 during the last...

Words: 2352 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Causes of Homosexuality

...Causes of Homosexuality Alan Hardy Liberty University Abstract The purpose of this research is to provide an in depth look at the causes of homosexuality. Homosexuality has had a strong presence throughout history and many ancient civilizations openly engaged in homosexual activity. Currently, all research seems to conclude that there is no universal accepted truth as to why homosexuality exists, but many researchers agree that there are certain experiences and situations that tend to contribute to homosexual behavior. This research paper explores numerous contributing factors that are thought to raise the likelihood of someone becoming a homosexual. Readers will be interested to explore the core argument of biological and genetic makeup versus arguments of nature. Numerous studies and experiments help support both sides of the argument, but neither side is able to produce irrefutable evidence naming a direct cause of homosexuality. This research paper serves as a way for individuals interested in the causes of homosexuality to explore numerous viewpoints, stereotypes, and unbiased valid information on the topic. This research could be used to help individuals understand why homosexuality exists in today’s society. Causes of Homosexuality Homosexuality is perhaps one of the most misunderstood realities within today’s society. There are many people that view it as disgusting, unnatural and taboo. Others claim to support the right to love whomever with little or no understanding...

Words: 3649 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Impact of Smartphone

...See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/236669025 Impact of Smartphone's on Society ARTICLE in EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH · FEBRUARY 2013 Impact Factor: 0.74 CITATIONS READS 7 50,697 2 AUTHORS, INCLUDING: Tariq Rahim Soomro Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Scien… 48 PUBLICATIONS 36 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Available from: Tariq Rahim Soomro Retrieved on: 28 September 2015 European Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-216X / 1450-202X Vol. 98 No 2 March, 2013, pp.216-226 http://www.europeanjournalofscientificresearch.com Impact of Smartphone’s on Society Muhammad Sarwar Department of Information Technology, SZABIST Dubai, United Arab Emirates E-mail: sarwar.baloch@gmail.com Tel: +971-50-5055285; Fax: +971-2-4045110 Tariq Rahim Soomro Corresponding Author, College of Engineering & Information Technology Al Ain University of Science & Technology, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates E-mail: tariq.soomro@aau.ac.ae Tel: +971-3-7024883; Fax: +971-3-7024777 Abstract The intention of this study is to investigate how Smartphone‘s are impacting the society and also how Smartphone‘s are going to transform the culture, social life, technology landscape and other diverse aspects of modern society. The intention of this study is to understand all the positive and negative aspects of Smartphone on the society. The study will primarily focus on impact...

Words: 6276 - Pages: 26

Premium Essay

Teen Dating Violence

...women who reported experiencing some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) also reported experiencing TDV between the ages of 11-17 (CDC, 2014). Also, black students experience TDV (14%) at a significantly higher rate than their white peers (8.9%) (Rothman, 2013). TDV is a very important issue to address because as teens mature mentally and emotionally, they are heavily influenced by previous relational experiences. If they do not cultivate positive, healthy relationships, TDV can be a dangerous precursor to experiencing IPV as adults. Victims of TDV are more likely to do poorly in school, binge drink, commit suicide, and engage in physical altercations (CDC, 2014). There are several risk factors involved with TDV. There is an increased risk for toxic relationships for teens who believe that physical violence is a constructive way to express anger in a relationship, use alcohol or drugs, have violent friends, have multiple sex partners, are depressed or anxious, have problems at school, or witness violence within their own home (CDC, 2014). Dating violence among teens is highly preventable and with the collective support of teens, families, health professionals, policy makers, and communities effective preventative implementation strategies can be develop to drastically diminish this issue. A major reason that TDV is such an important public...

Words: 2793 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Gay Marriages

...to acknowledge same-sex marriages. However, it is the nation’s responsibility to acknowledge all unions, instead of discriminating couples based on their sex. To infringe upon couples right to civil marriage is a violation of human rights. Gay people, who are in love, have the right to commit to each other and have it legally recognized by the United States government. Banning an issue doesn’t make it go away. The American Constitution said that everyone deserves the same, equal rights that include gay people. So banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Making this issue illegal is also a form of discrimination. Homophobic ridicule and abuse gay citizens, and gay teenagers are scared to go to school because of the excessive bullying and teasing. And gays are just being themselves! We are all created equal, so why can't we all just try to get along? Why do people get married? For love. Who are we to judge...

Words: 1868 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Eve Teasing

...notoriously difficult crime to prove, as perpetrators often devise ingenious ways to harass women, even though eve teasing usually occur in public places, streets, and public transport. Some feminist writers claim that this behaviour is a kind of "little rape". Some guidebooks to the region warn female tourists to avoid attracting the attention of these kinds of men by wearing conservative clothing. However, this harassment is reported both by Indian women and by conservatively-dressed foreign women. History The problem first received public and media attention in 1960s. In the following decades, more and more women started pursuing college and working independently, meaning that they were often no longer accompanied by a male escort as had been a norm in traditional society. In response, the problem grew to alarming proportions,...

Words: 1803 - Pages: 8