The True Cost of Being a Victim of Bullying for Alabama Children

This is a subject that I am very passionate about for a couple of reasons. First, I saw bullying first-hand because I had to deal with it while as a lot do in high school. The second reason is because I saw it as a teacher in the Alabama education system.

Get our free mobile app

In high school, I was the quiet one in the back of the classroom who never said anything, somehow, that made me a target for a group of older boys who had been held back a grade because they failed the previous year.

This particular group would wait until the teacher left the room, and then they would surround my desk and taunt me as if they were going to hit me. Of course, I ducked every time, and they would just laugh.

I can remember pretending to be sick, so I wouldn’t have to go to school. When I finally told my teacher what was happening, all she said was, “They are just playing.” Eventually, I told my parents what was going on and what the teacher said to me. My parents met with the principal, and I was moved to another class.

What are the effects of bullying?

Some might say it's not a big deal, you will get over it, it happens to everyone, or just ignore it. However, the Association for Psychological Science has determined through its research that this is not just something to view as "something kids do."

“Those who are bullies, victims, or both are more likely to experience poverty, academic failure, and job termination in their adulthood than those who were neither," the APS says. "In addition, the affected individuals are more likely to commit crime and to abuse drugs and alcohol.”

Is bullying really a problem, or are kids just being kids?

Bullying is a very serious problem. There are known cases where a child was bullied so severely in person or online that they took their own life. Notably, McKenzie Nicole Adams of Demopolis and Nigel Shelby from Huntsville both committed suicide after being bullied by their peers.

What can we do about bullying in our schools?

Talk to your kids, help them understand bullying, and keep lines of communication open. Find more information and resources about antibullying via the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at Stopbullying.gov.