Bullying at All-Time
High: Let’s Prevent it Once and For All
By: Bruce McCorry's Martial Arts Academy
220 Newbury St
Peabody MA 01960
Phone: (978) 535-7878
Email: info@brucemccorrys.com
www.brucemccorrys.com
For a few decades now, there has never been a year when
instances of bullying has not been reported from American schools. However,
things are worse than ever before according to the Stomp Bullying initiative,
which reported that with 1 out of every 4 child in USA being bullied, bullying
is at an all-time high in American history. According to these stats, about 43%
of children have experienced cyberbullying, and 5.4 million children bunk
school fearing harassment and bullying every day. The statistics call for the
fact that it is finally the time to prevent it once and for all, and it is high
time that everyone including parents, teachers and other concerned adults acted
in order to stop bullying.
Why Be Concerned: The Menace that is Bullying
Are tiffs between children quite a common part of the school
life that shouldn’t really be blown out of proportion? Often we find that
question being asked when bullying is discussed. Especially when the
perpetrators’ family and friends try to defend them, it is an oft-heard
argument that what happened was a minor tiff, and not bullying. Such questions
come out of one’s ignorance of bullying and the damage it can ensue. It is
quite easy for a common tiff between kids to escalate into bullying given that
the power relations might be unequal in most interactions. Such defenses will
not be heard once we realize that bullying is as much damaging to the bully as
it is to the victim.
It is noted by child experts that most children who become
part of bullying, whether as victims, perpetrators or onlookers are bound to go
through lasting psychological damage that may leave them unable to function
properly in adult social interactions and in building relationships. Bullying
can lead to serious repercussions like anxiety disorders, stress, trauma, and
depression for anyone involved. Those who become part of bullying as victims
and bullies are likely to take to dysfunctional behavior, substance abuse and
violence in later life. It can even lead to suicide and mental derangement if not
prevented. To add to everything, the bully too is a victim here in the sense
that he/she must be a victim of insecurities, psychological issues and
vulnerabilities to be a bully in the first place. Hence the bully too deserves
help as the victim does.
Martial Arts as a Solution: Saying No to Bullying for
Ever
If there is a lasting solution that can help both the
victims and perpetrators of bullying alike, it is martial arts. In professional
martial art schools like Bruce McCorry’s Academy (Peabody, MA) which offer
special programs for child learners, often bullying comes into focus. Under
trained instructors, martial arts can be effectively used to help the victim
get over the trauma and stress caused by past bullying, thus preventing lasting
damage. Martial arts can also help bullies to reroute their penchant for
aggression and violence into positive routes. As martial arts help children in
general to build confidence, stay out of harmful behavior, gain emotional
strength, courage and learn self-defense, it is the once-and-for-all solution
to bullying.
If you are eager for your child to have a safe, happy and
bullying-free childhood, introduce them to martial arts today.
