Overcoming the Impact of Bullying

Quoting from the book "Meredam Bullying" written by Ken Rigby, a school consultant expert, bullying is a desire to hurt others. This desire can be seen through actions that cause someone to suffer. These actions are typically carried out by an individual or a majority group who are stronger, repeated, without accountability, and with a sense of pleasure. Usually, bullying is perpetrated by people who feel physically or mentally superior to the victim.

Bullying behavior becomes one of the hindrances to success when faced with a negative response. However, it's different when responding to it more positively, with self-confidence. The result will be a success and motivate others to succeed without forgetting their past. Bullying is indeed a hindrance to success; even successful people often experience bullying behavior, which makes them work even harder to prove their dreams.

Therefore, bullying behavior should be eradicated by imparting moral education to children early on. Parents should also remind their children that jokingly insulting others is unacceptable. Instilling kindness and mutual affection in children is crucial because the impact of bullying is significant in shaping an individual's maturity in pursuing their dreams and life goals, especially when it happens to a young child.

Overcoming the Impact of Bullying

The impact of bullying can manifest as mental disturbances, including sensitivity, overflowing anger, depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, decreased sleep quality, self-harm tendencies, and even suicide. Bullying victims often feel unsafe, especially in environments conducive to harassment. These adverse effects can likely persist into adulthood. Bullying affects psychological health, and its adverse effects can also be seen in physical complaints, such as headaches, stomachaches, tense muscles, rapid heart rate, and chronic pain

Bullying can be addressed by preventing it early in a child's life, whether in the family, school, or community. Here are some ways to address bullying:

In Childhood:

1. Provide knowledge and strategies to resist bullying.

2. Set an example by supporting, mediating, and reporting bullying incidents to adults to help the victim.

In the Family:

1. Instill love and religious values in children.

2. Give attention and interaction to children to develop courage and assertiveness.

3. Assist children in developing social skills, self-confidence, and assertiveness.

4. Teach empathy and ethics towards others.

5. Monitor and guide children when accessing social media or television information.

Addressing Bullying in Schools:

1. Educators should create anti-bullying prevention programs and consequences for perpetrators.

2. Conduct discussions and lectures on addressing acts of bullying.

3. Provide assistance and support to bullying victims.

CONCLUSION

You can also communicate with a trusted individual about the bullying you are experiencing, whether it's a superior, teacher, friend, sibling, partner, and so on. If bullying occurs in formal settings such as the workplace or school, do not hesitate to report it to the relevant department, such as counseling services, class advisers, human resources, or equivalent authorities.

As Barth (2017) mentioned, Amy Cooper Hakim advises that when dealing with bullies, one should strive to appear confident to show strength without resorting to violence. When engaging with bullies, respond assertively but without emotion to demonstrate that you won't be a victim, won't "apologize" for what they accuse you of, and won't engage in confrontation (Signe Whitson, as mentioned in Barth, 2017).

Set clear boundaries on what can be handled professionally and remain firm to prevent the bullying from escalating (Chrissy Scivicque, as mentioned in Barth, 2017). If the situation becomes increasingly hostile and threats escalate, never hesitate to seek help from law enforcement to prevent further violence. Additionally, seek professional physical and psychological health assistance if needed to minimize the impact on yourself.