The Hardships of Bullying

Jamesha Shaw

UNV-104

8/18/16

Nicole Rhoades

The Hardships of Bullying

Bullying is well known around the world and affects many kids nationwide in a variety of ways. Sometimes bullying goes unknown because it is very easy for the victim to hide their emotions. Without teachers or parents recognizing the symptoms of bullying it can cause a lot of hardships for children. There are different types of forms of bullying such as cyberbullying, physical, and verbal bullying. No matter what form of bullying is used they all play a part in affecting a child and developing difficulties along the way. Bullying can play a major role in a child’s life causing them to be affected to deal with hardships such as depression, loss of self-esteem and future mental health problems as adults.

No doubt as to being a victim of bullying depression is one of the hardships that children deal with along the way. Being victimize by a bully each day and constantly having to deal with the hatred things that are being done or even words that are being said causes a child to start running through emotions and feeling hopeless day by day. As a child not being able to control their emotions they eventually start to feel depressed. According to Blum it has been confirmed that there is a relationship between bullying and depression. And those who suffer from bullying in their younger years have a greater chance in developing depression later on in life. (Blum et al.., 2015).  Victims of bullying have a way greater chance of becoming depressed due to the difficulties that they encounter each day and compared to those who do not get bullied.  As reported by Blum victims of bullying show more symptoms of depression and stress compared to non-victims. (Blum et al.., 2015). Becoming depressed is a very difficult hardship to get over and get through especially as a young child,

However, another hardship that affects children from bullying is loss of self-esteem. Losing your self-esteem as a young child can be very tough. A child’s self-esteem is important especially at a young age they are still building their confidence level and defining who they are as a person. But due to being harassed and bullied as a child their confidence level goes down and they begin to think less of themselves. As young adults your maturity level is not very high and you are just now gaining your confidence and self-esteem. So therefore as a child you are more vulnerable to the harassment that goes on and cannot quite control your emotions yet. (Roland, 2013). Self-esteem can be very hard to gain again as a child especially when all the confidence you had has been taking away. Losing your self-esteem due to bullying can be something that last throughout a child’s teenage years and until there adults. The loss of self-esteem and hope is usually due to harassment or being constantly bullied. These types of issues will have a great effect on a child throughout his or her adult life.  (Roland, 2013).

In addition to a child being bullied continuously for a prolonged length of time there is a slight chance of them having mental health problems as children and as adults. Being bullied as a child does not necessarily mean that the child will forget once they become older or the events of being victimize and dealing with depression, loss of self-esteem etc. will not follow them. Throughout out all these difficulties some children who have received harsh harassment will endure in having mental health problems linking to other problems as well.  According to Knopf Bullying is linked to health problems in children, including other problems as well such as depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. (Knopf, 2015).  It is even said that children who are cyberbullied and turn to substance misuse because of bullying increase their risk of having mental health problems. Cyberbullying, which most consider online harassment has been said to increase the risk of mental health problems as well as substance misuse such as alcohol and drugs. (Knopf, 2015).

Bullying is a hurtful situation to deal with as a child and can affect a child and bring many hardships along the way such as depression, loss of self-esteem, and mental health problems. When being a victim of bullying as a child there is many difficult outcomes that a child will be affected by.  Being victimize non-stop will cause depression and stress to come about and cause the child to lose all confidence they may have had. Also being bullied for a long period of time can be mind-triggering and cause a child to develop mental health problems. Being a victim of bullying as a child is not an issue to get over easily and not be affected by. It is not a small concern it is very serious and needs to be talk about more and made more aware of in all schools nationwide. Teachers and parents need to be more aware and alert of the signs and symptoms of victims of bullying as well as those who bully so that no child will have to go through the hardships of bullying.

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