Social issues: bullying

     Bullying has been a controversial issue that Buckhannon-Upshur High School has had to deal with for a very long time. A survey of 5 students was taken to understand their opinions and how they view the issue. Unsurprisingly, all 5 of the students agreed that the school has a major bullying problem. 4 out of 5 of the students claimed they had been bullied, while 3 out of the same 5 students admitted they had bullied someone else in the past. Bullying is a major problem. 

     Lindsey Howell gave her opinion of it. “I believe that bullying didn’t used to be as big of a problem, but it continues to get worse. Situations and cases of bullying happen way too often. This is a major issue; it can lead to suicide or cause major depression and/or other personal issues. Little to nothing is done to try and stop the bullying and I don’t think that’s right.”

     Another B-UHS student, Ethan Miller, was asked to follow up Lindsey’s statement with his opinion on her comment. “I couldn’t agree with Lindsey more,” agreed Ethan. “I have heard of countless situations where a student has gone to an adult for help and their solution was to ‘ignore them’ or ‘be the bigger person.’ Once, I heard that when a student asked for help, an administrator replied by telling them, ‘Don’t be a snitch, this is high school, you need to learn how to face your own problems.’”

     Lauren Deatherage responded to Ethan’s claim by stating, “I find what Ethan has heard absolutely ridiculous. However, I have no problem believing it. I think the main factor that needs to be realized in solving, or at least reducing, bullying is we need to stop trying to put fault on the victim. If a student reaches out for help against a bully, it is usually because they cannot take it anymore. Also, I believe that bullying is never going to settle down until action is taken against the bullies. I rarely see someone getting punished for the emotional or mental harm they have caused someone else. Bullying will stop when bullies know they can’t keep getting away with it.”

     It’s safe to say bullying is an issue many people have had to deal with, and it needs put to a stop, no matter what it takes.