A. General Purpose: To discuss the phenomenon of bullying in learning institutions.
B. Specific Purpose: To outline the scope of bullying in schools today, the adverse effects and possible solutions.
C. Central idea: To inform that aggression is avoidable through the creation of a school culture that promotes prosocial behavior.
II. Introduction
A. Today, people no longer consider bullying as a rite of passage in schools; rather there is widespread recognition of its adverse effects. The phenomenon persists in learning institutions and takes a variety of forms.
B. This continued hostility affects the victims, bullies, bystanders as well as the schools where it takes place.
C. Consequently, it is necessary to fight this vice by applying a multifaceted approach aimed at creating a school culture that promotes positive interactions and inhibits bullying.
III. Body of the Presentation
A. Bullying is a phenomenon that takes different forms.
1. Bullying is a notorious age-old phenomenon that was initially considered as an unfortunate yet unavoidable rite of passage in learning institutions. As Sampton notes, the common view was that bullying is a ‘relatively harmless behavior that builds character’ (2009). There is now widespread awareness of the adverse effects of bullying as …show more content…
It is now recognized that bullying has enduring adverse effects on both the bully and the victim (Sampton 2009). This aggression is especially harmful to the bullied students. The targets are more likely to experience low self-esteem issues, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. Further, they may resort to self-medication (substance abuse), become suicidal and withdraw socially (Ball 2011). Their victimization may make them lose interest in schoolwork, attain low grades, avoid school more often or even drop out altogether. In chronic cases, the victims may lash out and become violent as in the cases of school shootings that the country has witnessed over the