Bullying should not be tolerated, say experts

Bullying, especially in schools,  is a serious problem that has far-reaching impact on children and shoudn’t be tolerated.

Social worker Cynthia Potencioso said the right kind of assertiveness should be taught to children and young people.

“It is important to teach  children to be assertive so they don’t  engage in bullying and are not bullied as well,” she said in a forum of the Philippine Mental Health Asosciation in Cebu.

“Bullies are attracted to their  victims because they believe that they are stronger than their victims but, deep inside they are just using the victims to deal with their own problems,” said   Dr. Glenda Basubas, PMHA chairperson.

Basubas said  bully victims in school usually end up dropping classes because they feel the school is unsafe. Some even attempt suicide to deal with their insecurities.

Potencioso explained  that bullies usually choose the victims who are emotionally and mentally weak because they want to be socially accepted, popular, feel more important and want to be in control of  things.

The problem can take place  anywhere, but it is more prevalent in schools, so teachers should identify  who are the bullies or potential bullies and victims or potential victims.

“Bullies should not be tolerated otherwise they development personality disorders,” Basubas warned.

“Criminals usually have a personality disorder. That’s  why they don’t feel guilty about the crime that they’ve done so, we must not tolerate bullying before it’s too late.” she explained.

A family’s love and  other support systems are key in addressing this problem.

Basubas said parents and elders  have to teach  children to speak up when they are being victimized and when this happens, they must listen to them and do  something about it.

Even teachers can be targets.

“Those teachers who are bullied by their students should join together and raised the concern to the school administration,” shed added.

House Bill 5496 or the Anti-bullying bill was passed by  the House of Representatives in January  and is awaiting the approval of the Senate version for it to become a law. /Careen L. Malahay, Correspondent