Bullying is an aggressive behavior. It capitalizes on other people’s weaknesses. What is perplexing about bullying is that, victims feel that it’s a hopeless case and the only escape is self-termination. What a way to fight!
Not all people are gifted with a strong personality, such that they can fend off aggressors with a mere look and indifference. There are researches that point out bullies as the result of being bullied at home. If being a bully outside the home is an identification of the aggressors at home, what will become of the children of this generation? If all children would resort to the same aggressive behavior towards others, what will become of them? If all bullies are also victims, then who is the culprit? Where to start? What is the solution? Is this the manifestations of the breakdown of our society? Are we, as parents, guardians and educators contribute for the rapid development of this phenomenon?
Anomie, popularized by French sociologist Emile Durkheim is characterized by the breakdown of social bonds between the individual and community ties. It is the breakdown of social norms and values. A related study entitled “Gender, Bullying Victimization, and Juvenile Delinquency: A Test of General Strain Theory,” showed results that are quite alarming: The results suggested that bullying victimization should be considered a risk factor that places youngsters in jeopardy of criminal involvement.” ~ Agnew, R. et al; Victims and Offenders (c) 2008
What does this research further proves? The basic unit of society as well as the first few levels where the socialization needs of the child are developed remains the “sapling that needs a good gardener.” One cannot deny the many factors that assail the family – divorce, financial degeneration, rapid shift of economic status, you name it. The family is the most vulnerable. Within this family are the kids that become victims of bullying to devolve into the future delinquents of society.
Looking at it closely, information has become a status of power. If one has too much information on anyone, such information can be manipulated for one’s own benefit, regardless of its moral implications. Most curriculum planners, if not all have turn their sights into developing an intellectually efficient person, rather than an intellectually efficient, morally upright and values-oriented individual.
This is not to say that what the curriculum planners have done was not right. It is just a matter of attaining balance between what’s important for this generation and what was important from the old generation.
