Information On Bullying

Surprising facts or statistics

• School homicides and suicides are very high. 
• Bullying has been around since the first classroom.
• Many people thought it was a rite of passage for people to endure.
• Cyber bullying started in 2000.
• 1998 survey found that nearly one of every three U.S. children in sixth through 10th grades is affected by bullying.
• In June 2002, a report told doctors to be more alert of the signs and symptoms of bullying.
• Majority of the state in the US have cyber bullying laws.
• Only a few states have laws that are updated for cyber bullying.
• Some states have no laws for cyber bullying.
• Shooting in high school and college campus are very high.
• Any kind of sexual harassment happens to mainly girls.
  
  
  

The extent of the problem

• Harassment and being belittled about race/religion/looks/speech 
• Cyber bullying
• Bullying in school

Important people or institutions involved

• Government
• School
• Parents
• YouTubers 
• Authors
• Activists 
• Doctors
• Schools

Key schools of thought

• Does not allow or support bullying.
• Safety
• Anti bullying
• Worry about violence
• Prevent bullying and suicidal thoughts
• Concerned about bullying.
• Teachers and staffs have to watch over students and look for signs.

Common misconceptions

• All bullies are loners and have no friends
• Bullies struggle with self esteem
• All victims are weak and vulnerable 
• Victims of bullying always report about bullying
• Bullies are easy to spot
• Bullying happens at school

Observations you've made

• Cyber bullying is very high
• Depression
• Mostly female targets
• More than 16% of 6 through 10th graders are being bullied.
• Called offensive names are very high in online harassment.
• Being bullied indirectly
• A lot of kids skip school or class because of being bullied.
• Violence is very high.

Important trends

• Bullying mainly happen from middle school to high school and this cause students to skip school or become depress.
• Cyber harassment is also very popular and it's mainly offensive names being called.
• Violence and harassment are very high.

Major controversies

• Whether if anti bullying strategies used by schools is successful or not. 

 

Bullying

What have we been studying in class this year?

• We have been studying different topics that we picked and researched.

Which subjects appeal to me?

• Bullying, body image, child labor, technology and privacy and racial discrimination.

What are people writing about?

•  People are writing about their views and their ideas about certain topics that they feel strongly about.
  

What's most interesting to me?

•  Bullying is most interesting to me.
  

Can I find information about that?

•  Yes, you can find information about that on the internet because a lot of people feel strongly about these topics.
 

Why are you most interested in the topic of argument selected?

• I am most interested in bullying because I feel strongly about this topic and I can relate to it.

Critical and Analysis/ Essential Questions

Racial Discrimination:

Why is racism so rife in the world?

•  Racism is so rife in the world because people can't accept others for who they are and they do not like changes. I think that if they feel that if they are different from them they should not be viewed at the same level as them. 
  

How should racial discrimination be addressed?

• Racial Discrimination should be enforced. People who discriminates others should get a taste of their own medicine. If they know how it feels if the roles were reversed then they wouldn't be so rude and discriminate others for being different from them.

Has the United States done enough to address the historical injustices to African Americans, Native Americans and other groups? If not, what needs to be done?

• No, because people are still being discriminated today for being a certain race. They should stop discrimination in general. They need to know and understand how it feels to be discriminated.

Technology and Privacy:

How does the Internet threaten privacy?

•  The Internet threatens privacy because it gives us a false sense of security. People can get access to Internet very easily so the Internet does not give you any sense of safety.
  

In light of technological advances in monitoring and surveillance, should the government enact new laws to strengthen privacy? Why or why not?

• Yes, because people value their privacy, they would not like it if people snoop into their stuff and it would probably make them feel safer.

What are ways in which technology can be used to assure privacy?

•  Internet users may protect their privacy through controlled disclosure of personal information. Government organizations should protect individuals privacy and anonymity on the Internet.
  

How does technology affect your right to privacy?

• Technology allows people to access my privacy and there is no privacy if someone knows what are you doing on the Internet. It's like reading someone's mail.

How much privacy should we expect to have in the digital age?

• We probably shouldn't expect much privacy because the digital age isn't giving us much privacy. 

 

Child Labor:

Should there be international child labor laws that can be enforced in all countries?

• Yes, because children should not be used for child labor. They should not be working in harsh conditions and low wages.

Is child labor justifiable when the income gained is used to sustain the family?

• I personally don't think it is justifiable but you have to do what you can to feed yourself and your family. Even though it's not justifiable but they have no choice.

Are current U.S. labor laws too strict in regards to child labor?

•  No, I don't think it's too strict. It's fine the way it is as long as they continue to enforce it.

Why is child labor regarded as a social evil?

• Child labor is regarded as a social evil because many people believe that children underage should not work in hard conditions and it is not right. 

 

Body Image:

Does competing in beauty pageants adversely affect a child’s development?

• Yes, because adults are children's role model. Also if they grew up in that environment then it will affect them.

Does cosmetic surgery have mental health benefits?

•  Yes and no, because it can give them a boost of self esteem but at the same time the satisfaction will not last long.

Should a federal ban against the use of tanning salons by minors be enacted?

• Yes and no, because it will give them a less risk of skin cancer and it will be violating their personal freedom so it makes them want it even more.

Should teenagers use cosmetic surgery to enhance their body image? 

• No, because they are beautiful the way they are and they should learn to accept it. It will not make you perfect because no one is perfect.

Bullying:

Do you think schools are doing enough to stop bullying? Explain your answer.

•  Yes, because they talk about bullying and by not allowing bullying is helping them.

How should bullies be punished?

•  They should know the consequences of bullying. If that isn't enough for them then it is up to the victim or victim's family to pick the punishment.

What should schools do to help students who are the victims of bullies?

•  They should offer therapy or just someone they trust to talk to.

What are the reasons that students bully other students? How can this behavior be changed?

•  There are many reasons why students bully others. Students bully others because they like to feel the power while other is their prey, or because of something happening at home. This behavior can be changed by allowing students to talk to someone about how they feel, make them feel trusted rather then scared.

What cases can be made for or against X?

Racial Discrimination:

Racism has been around throughout history. African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans were all once and probably still is a victim of racism. People have tried to solve discrimination. For example Brown vs. Board Of Education outlawed the segregations in public schools. The Civil Rights Act in 1964 prohibited segregation in public places. There has always been racial discrimination especially after 9/11 the Muslims were targeted. There's always a target and it's still a problem today in 2014.

Technology and Privacy:

Technology privacy does not exist because there are people looking through or listening to your conversations. Technology gives people the power to snoop into other peoples stuff and it is wrong. Technology can both help and harm people. Technology can help people by having access to information but at the same time it can harm people because it gives people false sense of security.  There is no privacy in public places and technologies can invade personal privacy.

Child Labor:

Many children under 18 is being used for child labor. Child labor is wrong because it can be harmful to the children's health and they are not allowing them to have the education that they need. Some children are forced to work without any choice because of the necessity and provide their family with much needed income. Child labor is the violation of their humans rights and I believe that the child labor law should be enforced. They should be given a choice.

Body Image:

Society has a big impact on body image. Society puts into peoples mind on how they should look or act. Some people feel positive about their body image while others feel negative about it. People who feel negative about their body images tries so hard to become what they have in mind. Negative body image can lead to self depression, low self esteem, anxiety and  eating disorder. Society and media causes women and girls to have unrealistic expectations about their bodies. Reality shows are also being criticized for fostering an unhealthy body image because of the plastic surgery and makeovers they features.

Bullying:

 People are hurt both mentally and physically everyday because of the hurtful words they hear. Many teens have committed suicide or harm themselves to escape the bullying. Without any actions, it will only get worse. Although there are many states that have anti bullying laws for school to prevent bullying but people still believes that more should be done. While others believe that the law is not enough, teachers and staff should be trained to recognize the signs of bullying and also make bullying laws more strict.