School Stress

Once upon a time there was a very cruel girl named Veronica. She was known around her school for being evil to every girl there. “I heard Annie’s so poor that her family lives in a tent in the woods.” she’d whisper to the nearest person she knew would spread the news. “Did you see what Colette was wearing today? I’m pretty sure she’s colorblind.” she’d declare to her friends after school, smirking.

The idea that this would ruin someone else’s reputation only made her smirk wider and her confidence brighter. But even worse than her spreading rumors or talking trash about others were the looks she gave them. She would often glare or just stare in disgust-- it was her infamous look that made other girls feel more self-conscious than anything. Veronica’s parents both worked 24/7, and hadn’t spoken to her much as a child. No one saw her very often outside of school, and when they did, she was alone. She spent most of her time indoors, and lacked social interaction. This only fueled her rude behavior.

One day, when Veronica was walking alone down the city streets, she felt something grab her ankle. She stumbled to a stop and glared down to find an old homeless woman, dressed in a dirty cloak. Veronica wrinkled her nose up in disgust, kicking the woman’s hand off her leg. “Keep your hands off me!” she shrieked. “Have any spare change?” the woman asked, sounding worn down. Veronica clutched her purse closer to her body. “Of course I do! But don’t expect me to give it to some filthy hag who lives on the streets.” her glare darkened.

The woman’s eyes flashed a cold red at this, and she rose up threateningly. In one simple snap of her fingers, time around them seemed to stop. Veronica’s eyes widened, terrified. “What is this? What are you doing??” The woman lifted the hood of her cloak and took it off in one movement. She snapped her fingers once more, and her image completely changed-- before Veronica stood an intimidating, gorgeous woman in a black dress, contrasting to the old peddler that she was before. “Who are you?? Some kind of witch??” Veronica managed to stutter.

Bullying is a highly controversial topic in media, popular culture, and schools everywhere. It affects bullies, bully victims, and bystanders. Bullies don’t just affect bully victims physically-- they also utilize emotional abuse when bullying other students. This can lead to attention issues, depression, antisocial behaviors, and anxiety. Bully victims are also less likely to show up to school and are more likely to have lower grades. This can cause drug or alcohol abuse.

Some forms of bullying used include harassment, gossip, threatening, and microaggressions. Microaggressions attack minorities almost passive-aggressively, and are most commonly used on students who are gay and people of color. They are one of the most common forms of bullying or derogatory comments. Many of these bullying tactics are also used by teachers and adults. When a teacher humiliates or ridicules a student, it lowers their self esteem and enforces bullying in other students. This affects children most when they are younger, since it causes them to use bullying more as they grow older. Most adults are not even aware they are a cause of bullying.

Although it is common for media to portray bullies as heartless, they usually have a reason for bullying. They usually have abusive families, feel ignored, or are antisocial. School stress can impact student’s attitudes and behaviors in school or at home and can also cause bullying. Bystanders are also affected-- studies show they show up for school less, complain about headaches more, and are more anxious about school and other students.

Along with victims of bullying committing suicide, they also show homicidal tendencies. As a result of school stress and bullying, students may also turn to school shooting as a solution. Most of the school shooters who have been interviewed were bullied and showed signs of antisocial behaviors. Bullying fuels violence, depression, and stress in students where it is not needed.