I came from one of those top girls’ schools in Singapore but I had witnessed bullying in school. Every year, almost every class has an outcast. Sometimes it is a few girls. I have friends that had been bullied, and friends who once bullied people. For those that were bullied, they were targeted because of their looks, they had few friends, and/or they do not report the matter to an adult when bullied. Those that bullied people, sometimes they just do it for entertainment, to get attention, or to show that they can get away with doing what they want.
When I was in primary six, 3 of my classmates would constantly bully this other girl in class. It started with kicking the girl’s chair because the 3 girls were sitting in the row behind the girl being bullied. After some time they started calling names, pulling her uniform and hair, and pushing her on to the floor. The girls got bolder each time they bullied that girl. There were times when they tore her worksheets and notebooks, poured water on to them or throw it into the dustbin. They also poured water on the girl’s school bag and on the girl as well. Other classmates did not stop the girls as they were afraid of being targeted. Sometimes I would shout that a teacher was coming down the corridor so as to scare the bullies and stop them from continuing. When a teacher enters the classroom, the 3 girls would pretend that nothing happened and return to their seats. I think the matter was eventually reported and the bullying stopped but imagine the emotional trauma that the girl being bullied went through.
If you have no way of avoiding the bullies that bully you every day, how would you feel? When we go to school, we go there to be taught the right values, gain knowledge and make friends. However, for those who are constantly bullied, they go to school in fear, unsure of what would the bullies do to them each day.
In some cases, those being bullied become a bully themselves. They bully others to release the emotional baggage in them. However, it is not the right way to handle it as it will only be a vicious cycle that continues. Bullying must be stopped. When bullying happens and nobody stops them, the bullies would only be encouraged. Bullying gives them a ‘sense of achievement’. I would not consider or accept such behaviour as an achievement. It should not be at the expense of someone.
For any cases of bullying in school including extortions, forcing victims to run errands, do homework etc, the worse thing to do is keep quiet. The bullies would only take advantage of your weakness. Not only that, they might start bullying more and more people. By telling someone about the situation, further cases of bullying can be prevented and the bullies can be counselled. It is important to understand the reasons behind bullying because sometimes, they just want to get attention. Everyone has their own troubles and sometimes all they need is a listening ear or someone who understands what they are going through and help them.
It is possible to prevent yourself from being bullied, but how many would help those that are bullied and put an end to bullying? I hope people would be less self-centred and lend a helping hand to those in need.
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