The United States has experienced an astronomical increase in the number of young adults committing suicides. This increase is not unique to the United States as around the world bullying continues to present a problem. While some believe that traditional bullying has decreased others believe that cyber bullying have increased (Rigby & Smith, (2011). There are a variety of talks in an effort of deciding the cause of this increasing trend. In today’s technological age there is no limit to where bullying can happen, the availability of electronic devices have contributed to the increase in the youth suicide rates as cyber bullying have now been introduced. Bullying is not an age sensitive occurrence as younger children are becoming more impacted by a variety of bullying. Teachers nationwide are battling this growing epidemic in schools. S. Campbell, an elementary school teacher, defined bullying as “when a child is made to feel inferior or is intimidated by another child or adult” (personal communication, August 28, 2014). The definition of bullying is in no way inclusive. There are many other ways in which children are been targeted. According to Baldry & Farrington (1999) while bullying is an aggressive behavior, not all violent behaviors fall into this category. “Bullying includes rumormongering, name-calling, teasing, threatening, rejection, ostracizing, exclusion from activities, and the theft of belongings.” It is common practice to say, “children are cruel” however, this does not begin to address the issues surrounding the impact bullying has on school age children. While individuals being bullied may vary, there are certain things that are shared among victims of bullying. Children that are experiencing difficulties in school often have symptoms that show this, as their issues is often manifested in their behavior. S. Campbell (2014) stated “they first become reserved and will no longer participate in classroom activities, their overall performance decreases and the quality of their work also drastically declines, and the child been bullied often becomes rebellious and behavioral problems may be presented” (personal communication, August 28, 2014). As children become older the ways that the issues surrounding bullying manifest and become more extreme “excessive drinking and substance abuse” are only few of the ways this may be exhibited (Farrington & Ttofi, 2009). In many cases the focus is often placed on the victim and very little emphasis place on the bully. Just like the victim, bullies are often time mimicking behaviors they have seen displayed either in the home or in school. Farrington & Ttofi (2009) wrote, “Bullies tend to have low empathy and low school attainment, and tend to be high on measures of hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and attention deficit. While victims tend to have low self-esteem and low school attainment, and tend to be lonely, unpopular, rejected, and friendless” (p. 322). Children are being targeted at a younger age to be bullied, this means that teachers are tasked with the responsibilities of helping to empower children as early as elementary school that are being bullied with ways to counteract this issue. S Campbell (2014) said “in the classroom the importance is that students feel safe to report anyone that presents themselves as a threat to them, without fear of retaliation. I try to help boost their self-confidence and to help them recognize their self worth” (personal communication, August 28, 2014). Some studies have examined the victim and the bully and try to understand the connection between the two. Like in most unhealthy relationship one individual sees the other as the weaker of the two and thus the bully decides that he/she can overpower the other. Horton (2011) concluded that bullying someone is a matter of power. He stated that bullying is a “systematic abuse of power” (p.270). Parents are an integral part of ensuring that children are protected.
Parents should understand