Globally, over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year . In fact, one in ten students end up dropping out of school in order to avoid repeated bullying (Eleven). In the book, Speak, we see Melinda Sordino experience bullying from her classmates due to her actions at a summer party; she had called the police causing tons of people getting in trouble. Despite students not knowing her reasons for doing so, Melinda becomes constantly taunted and looked down upon by other teens for her response. One example, on page thirty, includes Melinda at a football game saying, “When the pep rally ends, I am ‘accidently’ knocked down three rows of bleachers.” In this sentence, Mel is being sarcastic. In actuality, she was pushed and shoved
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According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, bullying is described as unwanted or aggressive behavior that involves an actual or perceived power imbalance. In other words, bullying is picking on someone because the bully thinks are better than their victim; this can (and usually is) based upon prejudiced ideologies such as racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia or even beauty and fashion.
The bully’s actions may include actions such as threats, rumours, exclusion, and even attacks. Overall, these engagements can be defined into three types: verbal, social and physical. Verbal bullying is saying or writing offensive comments (What Is Bullying). This may consist of acts such as: …show more content…
Whether it's verbal, social or physical, all these negative actions have a lasting psychological impact on the victim and even the bully. Through countless sources of research ranging from six-year-olds to well experienced adults, we have evaluated that kids who had been victims to bullies have greater risk for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, panic disorders and even agoraphobia (the fear of being in crowds, public spaces or open areas) (Walton). In the book Speak, on page 128, Melinda states “I'm the only one sitting alone, under the glowing neon sign which reads, ‘Complete And Total Loser, Not Quite Sane. Stay Away. Do Not Feed.’ ” This quote expresses how Melinda sees herself. Her attitude of self-pity and lack of confidence can easily be linked as an effect to her experience with her own bullies; negative self-image is a common sign of a depressive
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, bullying is described as unwanted or aggressive behavior that involves an actual or perceived power imbalance. In other words, bullying is picking on someone because the bully thinks are better than their victim; this can (and usually is) based upon prejudiced ideologies such as racism, homophobia, sexism, transphobia or even beauty and fashion.
The bully’s actions may include actions such as threats, rumours, exclusion, and even attacks. Overall, these engagements can be defined into three types: verbal, social and physical. Verbal bullying is saying or writing offensive comments (What Is Bullying). This may consist of acts such as: …show more content…
Whether it's verbal, social or physical, all these negative actions have a lasting psychological impact on the victim and even the bully. Through countless sources of research ranging from six-year-olds to well experienced adults, we have evaluated that kids who had been victims to bullies have greater risk for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, panic disorders and even agoraphobia (the fear of being in crowds, public spaces or open areas) (Walton). In the book Speak, on page 128, Melinda states “I'm the only one sitting alone, under the glowing neon sign which reads, ‘Complete And Total Loser, Not Quite Sane. Stay Away. Do Not Feed.’ ” This quote expresses how Melinda sees herself. Her attitude of self-pity and lack of confidence can easily be linked as an effect to her experience with her own bullies; negative self-image is a common sign of a depressive