Can we ever stop the bullies?

A reflection on a current educational issue in Sydney relating to culture and identity

It is evident that bullying has been an issue that concerns not only the education system in NSW, but also within Australia and the world. There may be numerous reasons why one would choose to bully another, but regardless of what it may be, it all connects back to both identity and culture. Cases concerning racism are possibly one of the most commonly seen reasons for bullying, as there are sadly “…stereotypes of people who get bullied based upon seeming different (to one another) in some way” (Butler, 2007:6). It is crucial to understand that through education, both identity and culture are themes that must be taught thoroughly to students in school, as they assist in developing morals, values and better understanding about themselves and their peers. However, with the presence of bullying within schools, it is difficult for a student to embrace their identity and/or culture if it is the reason that they are being targeted by a bully.

Based on an individual’s appearance, many can be targeted by bullies due to the racial tensions between one person and another. Wadham, Pudsey and Boyd state that “it is vital to understand what culture is and how it is connected to the education system…” (pg. 13) however, it is clear that differences amongst a group of people can lead to misunderstandings which in turn may transform into bullying. Bullying can significantly harm the individual, which reminds us of the fact that more definite and firm rules must be enforced in schools more consistently, since such an experience can alter one’s identity, possibly for the worst.

This is one of the reasons why is it necessary to enforce the idea that bullying must be stopped and prevented amongst youths, as it will cost them possibly, their future. In the Sydney Morning Herald article titled “High school bullies risk their careers” written on May 25^th this year, states that “any person 22 or younger who wants to get a job at a registered club will need to get a verbal referee heck from their high school” (AAP, Sydney Morning Herald 2013). This program made by ClubsNSW in the Murray region aims to reinforce the idea that bullying can have a sort-of ‘karma’ effect – it may possibly interfere with their future career(s). Through this, we can see perhaps a beacon of hope in order to convince these students that different cultures and identities are not sufficient reasons to bully another person, and that instead, these differences should be embraced, rather than targeted.

However, as our identities and beliefs are constantly changing, society can constantly hold influences against a person, leading to the endless cycle which causes bullying in schools. Bullying must be combated against, and it should not ever be disregarded as a ‘minor issue’ in schools. Bullying still occurs today, and it may be performed through a number of ways, whether it is physically in the school yard, or faceless over the internet. Regardless of how it is done, it is without a doubt that bullying is a major issue relevant to culture and identity within education.  More must be done in order to decrease the number of cases of bullying seen within schools.

References:

1. Butler, V. (2007). Young people’s experiences of, and solutions to, identity related bullying: Research report.  Retrieved September 27, 2013, from: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/26211_barnardos_report_e.pdf  
2. AAP (May 25^th 2013) “High school bullies risk their careers”, Sydney Morning Herald, accessed on September 26^th: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/high-school-bullies-risk-their-careers-20120525-1z8lg.html
3. Wadham, B., Pudsey, J., & Boyd, R. (2007). "Chapter 1: What is Culture?" "Culture and Education" Sydney: Pearson Education