Tough Children?
“When I was your age, I used to walk 15 miles uphill and back in the snow just to get to school.” There’s no question that older generations always compare themselves to the newer generations. They always brag about how rough they had it growing up and laugh at all the “luxuries” we have today. They say that today’s kids have gone soft and cry about everything. They say we’re spoiled.
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| How tough are kids supposed to be? |
Is it our fault we’re blessed with advanced technology? Sure older generations didn’t have computers, luxury cars, TV, etc. But does that make our generation weaker? I remember my grandfather told me kids aren’t as tough as his generation was. But what defines the toughness of a kid?
It is well known that bullies have been a problem for every generation. And every generation has dealt with bullies in their own way. The oldest generations say they used to fight back with their bare hands like men, comparing themselves to today’s kids who bring weapons to school to defend themselves or seek revenge. While I completely agree that using firearms to retaliate is cowardly, bullying wasn’t as serious back then as it is now. At least back then they considered it as a “normal” part of childhood. But times were simpler back then, bullying wasn’t considered to cause psychological harm to kids.
Nowadays, kids have to worry about bullies in two arenas: the Real World, which normally occurs at school and other social locations, and the Cyber world, which is mainly on social networks and chat rooms. Kids also have higher standards to self-appearance constantly comparing themselves to the many high class celebrities in popular culture. Older generations didn’t have as many unwritten social standards as today. Kids didn’t want the latest high tech gadgets and fashion trends as they do now. Newer generations think if they don’t have the latest and greatest products they won’t be liked or accepted at school. Add to that all the ridicule and teasing if they’re not up to “par” with the rest of the kids and you have a recipe for many psychological disorders.
With the popularity of social networks like Facebook and MySpace, kids spend more time online than they do playing sports or video games. It’s no wonder that bullying has evolved and grown with our technology. Kids can now bully each other twenty-four hours a day and from anywhere in the world. Bullies now attack by writing hateful and threatening messages on their victim’s social network accounts. These vulgar messages and texts have caused more harm than the traditional methods of bullying. Cyber bullying has been linked to depression and other psychological disorders among our adolescents and is more common than ever before.
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| Megan Meier, victim of Cyber Bullying. |
Many states have already proposed several bills to prohibit bullying at schools, but most do not include bullying online. It has been the topic of several discussions as to what would constitute as cyber bullying. The Houston Chronicle (2011) recently reported that the Senate passed a bill that allows Texas schools to prohibit both traditional bullying and online bullying. They define bullying as any effort to harass or intimidate a student in person or using the internet. They disclose that it would be the legal definition of bullying. The bills will also require school districts to create a series of policies to prevent, prohibit and punish students who bully others. Schools will also have to create guidelines as to how to properly identify cyber bullying. It seems simple, if a student feels threatened or emotionally disturbed by another student it should be reported as a violation of the schools bullying policy. If certain situations are unclear as to classify incidents as bullying, then proper and legal authorities should step in and determine whether the incident should require punishment.
Punishment for bullying will vary from state to state. Cases with less harm caused to the student should require detention, and in school suspension. While cases with severe harm done should merit suspension, fines, and serving time in juvenile detention centers or even jail. These reprimands would be beneficial to address the seriousness of the issue to students who take bullying lightly. Kids will more likely to think twice about bullying one another.
There’s no question that bullying is more of a major issue now than it was in older generations. Therefore, we should all take action to help prevent future incidents by supporting movements to help pass laws in all states to prohibit bullying, not only in schools, but in the cyber world as well. Our children shouldn’t be classified as to how tough they are, but should be brought up with more care and attention. Visit http://www.stopcyberbullying.org for more information about what you can do to help.
References
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2008). Cyber bullying: An exploratory analysis of factors
related to off ending and victimization. Deviant Behavior, 29(2), 129-156.
The Houston Chronicle. (2011). Senate Passes Bullying Bill. Retrieved from
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7537646.html
Anyone can help prevent Cyber Bullying. We as a country need to do what is necessary for the protection of our children. Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution!
Anyone can help prevent Cyber Bullying. We as a country need to do what is necessary for the protection of our children. Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution!
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