Consequences of Bullying

Consequences of Bullying

The prevalence of bullying varies among different jurisdictions arises due to challenges in definitions and measurement of the phenomenon. Cultural and linguistic differences are the leading cause of these problems since Western and Eastern countries perceive bullying in unique ways. Latin America showed a higher prevalence rate, ranging between 40-50% of teenagers who have experienced bullying (Menesini & Salmivalli, 2017). Furthermore, different communities view certain behaviors from various lenses, hence, causing the visible interpretations and levels of identification of the phenomena. About gender, boys showed a more likelihood of involvement in bullying as compared to girls. However, boys engage in physical forms of bullying while girls are likely to be involved in verbal confrontations. This shows that while boys have higher chances of experiencing the effects of bullying, girls are also affected in large numbers but a more subtle manner.

In most cases, the bullied students show higher chances of missing school and reduced performance in class. Menesinia and Salmivalli (2017) highlight the consequences of victimization on the affected students. More bullying also caused higher anxiety levels and depression, based on the severity of the experiences. Ultimately, this can lead to cases of suicide, drug abuse and crime due to the psychological problems brought about by bullying (Menesini & Salmivalli, 2017). This disrupts society if left unchecked as more students who endure such circumstances look for coping mechanisms. The onset of such vices at an early age reduces the chances of affected individuals living fulfilling lives.