Cause And Effects Of The Columbine Massacre

Often regarded as one of the worst school shootings in American history, the Columbine Massacre influenced not only the lives of the students and families personally affected, but had a significant impact on numerous issues throughout the rest of the country. Though this was not the first instance of school related violence, the careful planning, explanations given, and ultimate brutality of the event provoked many individuals to question whether or not it could have been prevented, and what could be done to prevent a similar event from occurring again. It caused an immediate reevaluation of the security systems used to protect the students, prompted new policies concerning peer relationships and bullying, and sparked new debate on the already …show more content…
Some believe that the students were victims of brutal mistreatment from their fellow peers, were completely stripped of self-esteem or confidence, and were ultimately forced into the position of social outcasts. Others claim the exact opposite, believing that they viewed their peers as incredibly inferior and had a far more advanced self-esteem than the other students (Brooks). Regardless of whether or not they experienced this abuse, the notion of peer relationships in schools gained national attention as a result. The implementation of anti-bullying programs in schools has increased greatly since this occurrence, encouraging greater communication between students and faculty and encouraging them to speak out should violence be noticed (9 Ways School Has Changed). One example of this is known as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which trains staff to recognize and intervene when bullying is observed …show more content…
It significantly altered the way people view the procedures and techniques utilized by schools to ensure the safety and general wellbeing of their students, from their personal relationships with their fellow student to their personal relationships with mental health. It demanded an immediate reevaluation of subjects such as privacy, security, and gun violence, and established an innate awareness of topics previously overlooked by the general population. Though the Columbine Massacre was not the first example of school related violence, and certainly was not last instance of guns being used in a school setting, it will forever be remembered as one of the worst, and one of the most influential calamities in the American education