MWP 2 Summary

    Bullying and Psychosomatic problems: In America, bullying has become a huge problem in schools. As bullying increases in schools psychologists are gaining more information and becoming more educated as to why adolescents are involved in violent acts. Psychosomatic issues are not the only things linked to bullying. Depression and suicide are often overlooked. Many adolescents who bully or are being bullied are suffering from a type of depression.

    Another startling fact is that many schools do not offer counseling to adolescents who are victims of bullying and even to the kids who are the bullies. The one thing that has started in accordance with bullying is the no tolerance policy. The policy basically says that certain schools do not tolerate bullying. However, this only applies to the adolescents who are physically seen being bullied. Counseling in schools needs to be enforced and emphasized.
    Another issue linked to bullying is the violence in schools. Over the past few years and months, many school shootings have occurred. A number of these violent acts have been linked to bullying and undiagnosed depression. Many of these acts end in murder and suicide. What many psychologists overlook is the home life of the bullies. Many bullies are living in hostel environments either involving abuse or neglect. Even situations involving divorce could have a profound effect on adolescents.
   Many people do not even know how to identify bullying. Signs of bullying usually include adolescents who feel the need to overpower someone or feel like they need to be in control. In some cases, bullies are identified as kids who have no friends. Bullies are also often seen as disrespectful towards adults. Not being able to identify what a bully looks like and how they act is a huge problem, especially in today's society.
    One of the biggest issues in schools today also includes the fact that many adults perceive bullying in different ways. Bullying includes teasing, taunting, threatening, stealing, and of course hitting. What adults see is usually teasing and "messing around," however bullies are aware of the fact that they can simply say something to the adults to get away with bullying. Adults need to be better informed of the acts of bullying and how to identify it.