Bullying as a Social Problem

Table of Contents
What is bullying……………………………………… Pg4
What is a social problem………………………………Pg5 Deviant behavior perspective…………………………..Pg5-6
Labeling perspective………………………………………Pg6
Types of bullying………………………………………..Pg7-8
Effects of bullying………………….………………………..Pg7
Blumer’s career a social problems….…………………..Pg8-11
Consequences of bullying………………………………..Pg11-12
Conclusion………………………………………………….Pg11

Bullying is a growing epidemic in today’s society. Bullying is a social problem that society has been struggling with for decades. A social problem is considered a common problem that many individuals experience separately. (Mills, 1959) Over many years, more and more people are becoming victims to bullying. What is bullying? From the Oxford dictionary, bullying is an aggressive action imposed by a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker. According to Olweus, a target of bullying is defined as “a person that is repeatedly victimized over time to negative actions by one or more persons” (Olweus, 1994). There are many short and long-term effects for both the victims and bullies. The effects that both endure are affective academically, physically, and emotionally. Some parents often think of it as a rite of passage. In their day, bullying was looked upon as typical child’s play and usually exists around adolescents. Before we begin to clarify bullying as a social problem and how to solve it, we would need to first explain the fundamentals of social problems. In this paper the questions that will be answered are: 1. How is bullying classified as a social problem? 2. How labeling and deviant behavior perspectives relate with bullying? 3. What types of bullying are there? 4. What is the effect of bullying? 5. How can bullying be prevented in terms of Blumer’s career of social problems? 6. What are the consequences of bullying defined as a social problem rather than a private issue? In order to prove that bullying is a social problem, there would have to be a fuller understanding on what a social problem is. A sociologist would define the definition of social problem as, “…an alleged situation that is incompatible with the values of a significant number of people who agree that the action is needed to alter the situation” (Rubington & Weinberg, 1981). In this case, bullying is the alleged situation that society recognized as the action that needs to be solved. When defining the alleged situation as a social problem there has to be an objective condition and subjective definition. According to Fuller and Myer, an objective condition is the actual condition that’s in existence and the subjective definition is the threat the condition pose on cherished values (Fuller & Myers , 1941). Both components are needed in defining social problems. So as far as bullying, the objective condition is the aggressive actions that are imposed of their victims. The subjective definition is that people should treat one another with dignity and respect.
Furthermore, one might wonder what causes the action of bullies in terms of perspectives. The chosen viewpoints for this paper are the deviant behavior and labeling perspective. Deviant behavior relates to bullying because of the malicious acts against it victims. The definition of deviant behavior is when society norms are violated. It is caused by socialization in which, deviant behavior outweigh the non-deviant behaviors. In contrast, bullying is also done based on the fact it makes them feel better to harm or put fear in someone else. Bullying can be taught by the negative actions one is exposed to. Then bullying have many on why one result to deviant behavior. There has been research where scientist identified many biological and developmental factors that influence violent behavior (Kuykendall, 2012). The conditions of deviant behavior is when the opportunities of a normal socialization is limited increasing plenty of opportunities for learning deviant behaviors. Bullying can often happen with the constant competition among peer groups. For example, if a kid is recognized in school for good behavior a bullying would push and shove to be recognized as well. With deviant behavior there is also a conflict of frequency and conflict of appearance. For instance a bully might pick on someone that doesn’t dress like the majority. The consequence of deviance is that it is costly to the people. The solution to deviant behavior is to re-socialize. This is done by legitimating deviant behavior. By doing so, deviant behavior should reduce tremendously. Furthermore, the labeling perspective relates to bullying because a bully would start to internalize the label and continue to torment their peers. The definition of labeling is when a society defines a problem and reacts when the rules are dishonored. In this case, bullies live the life of a bullying and depict deviance. Labeling is cause by the attention a bully receives. The problem of bullying goes unnoticed until society recognizes it. The condition of this is that the labeler gains power and continues to have labels stick. In this case, the label is a reward in the labeler’s eyes. So being called a bully adds more pep in a bully’s step. The consequence of labeling is the causing of continued deviant behavior that later result in secondary deviance. The solution of this issue that is suggested is the definition is change so there isn’t any profit out of labeling. In contrast, bullies would still act in malicious behavior whether there was a definition change or not. They act in deviant way to fulfill their own self need in seeing one hurt.
Furthermore, there are various types of bullying. The types of bullying are physical, verbal, social and cyber. Physical bullying is the common form of bullying. It consists of physical contact such as hitting, pushing, and kicking. In 2010, it was stated in the National Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Children’s research briefing, that physical bullying is mainly found among boys (Physical Bullying, 2013). Physical bullies are more than likely to be physical enhance than the victim. There intended motive is to fit in and to hurt others in the process. The next type of bullying is verbal. It’s when a bully orally degrades and demeans a person (Vebal bullying, 2013). Verbal bullying can be just as damaging as physical bullying. Verbal bullying is well-known as the girls’ domain. Name calling is among the most common forms of verbal bullying. This type of bullying has a long-term psychological and emotional effect. It can be difficult to detect verbal bullying, seeing as though there is no physical harm done. Verbal bullying is done through gestures, looks, expressions (Vebal bullying, 2013). Verbal bullying has two main categories which are, direct and non-direct. Being there physically is direct and non-verbal is indirect, which leads us into cyber-bullying. According to the Health and Medical Today, cyber bullying is a technological advancement of verbal bullying (Kuykendall, 2012). Cyber bullying happens when technology is used to harass, post rumors and embarrass someone (McQuade III, Colt, & Meyer, 2009). Cyber bullying is also done through emails, text messages, and status on social networks us. Cyber bullying allows a stronger degree of hurt because the bully is protected by perceptions (Kuykendall, 2012). MaQuade, Colt, and Meyer detailed the evolution of online bullying stating that,
“Today online bullying messages consisting of images or graphics can be used in numerous ways along with text to imply or convey all sorts of threats in weird sinister ways. Receiving such messages can be like discovery a dead chicken on a porch, finding your dog hanging from a tree in your front yard, or some other creepy and disturbing action that are sometimes used to really intimidate someone in an off-line or traditional sense.” (McQuade III, Colt, & Meyer, 2009) Today’s society use technology to send threats more than any other form of bullying. Bullying is easier done when you’re unable to distinguish the victim’s breaking point. Obviously as advances are made to technology cyber bullying will continue to prevail.
Bullying has been shown to have short and long term effects. These effects are also shown to shape both the bully and victim’s characters. The short term effects of the victim are the feeling of unhappiness and withdrawal for everyone. The victims of bullying tend to be inconsiderate of others and their feelings. They often have high anxiety and depression issues. Academics incline as a short term effect of being bullied. The long term effects are having future depression and suicidal inclinations. They lack confidence in their self. Studies have also indicated that victims of bullying tend to confide in alcohol and drug use (Kennedy, 2011). There are many short and long-term that is brought upon bullies as well. The short term effect for the bully is the fact they can’t keep steady relationships. The bully does poor in school and tends to drop out. The long term effects for the bullies are high conviction rates. A bully dependency for drugs and alcohol increases tremendously.
As stated earlier, a social problem is only recognized when there is an objective condition and a subjective definition. According to Herbert Blumer, social problems show existence through a process of collective definition (Blumer, 1971). The awareness and prevention in which Blumer explained in the career of social problems was the emergence of the issue, the legitimacy, the mobilization, forming of an official plan, and the empirical implementation. The process’s first stage is the appearance of social problem. The stage in which a society realize a problem. Blumer (1971) explained:
“Social problems are not the result of an intrinsic malfunctioning of a society but are the result of a process of definition in which a given condition is picked out and identified as a social problem. A social problem does not exist for a society unless it is recognized by that society to exist.” (Blumer, 1971)
He is stating that the creation of a social problem is made when it is being talked about. Emphasizes were made that the society’s condition isn’t the consequence of social malfunctioning, but the failure of identifying a social problem. Pertaining to bullying society recognized it and made the initiative to try and stop it. If more people that speak up against bullying the easier it is to take action. Blumer mentioned that a society’s perception of the issues rest on on principles or traditional beliefs that society holds. If there are high expectations on what their society should be like the harder it is recognizing social problems. He identified that ignored conditions don’t disappear or resolves itself, but show up later as a much bigger problem. People should be educated on how social problems come about and that it how they will reduce.
The second stage in the process is the legitimation of the social issue. Blumer detailed that once the emergence of the social problem is not recognized and doesn’t expire then that is when it becomes legitimated. During a social problem becoming legitimated it is still required to have social authorization. Blumer detailed that social problems, “…must acquire a necessary degree of respectability which entitles it to consideration in recognized arenas of public discussion” (Blumer, 1971). Arenas are the outlets that are used to transfer the badges of respectability among society. It is a shame how society waits until an issue is well in age to start becoming concerned about certain social conditions that meets the eye. Blumer mentioned that just because it is recognized socially still doesn’t mean it’ll make into the arenas. He specified that,
“…the asserted problem may be regarded as insignificant, as not worthy of consideration, as in the accepted order of things and thus not to be tampered with, as distasteful to codes of propriety, or as merely the shouting of questionable or subversive elements in a society.” (Blumer, 1971)
Relating bullying as the social problem this is the stage in which it’s becoming out of hand causing a legal stance. Bullying has defiantly evolve over time and caused the need of legitimacy. Bullying has become universal and all areas of society. In occurrence it is now evident the reasons why bullying has become legitimated. Globally bullying has caused many accounts in which the victims reasoned with suicide. No one should be bullied to the point they consider suicide. For this reason, this causes the legitimacy of this social problem. The third stage in this process is the mobilization of the action. This stage in the process is important because it’s when the outcome of this social problem is determined. According to Blumer, this is the stage social problems become the topic of discussion for those who have the authority to implement change in a society. Blumer Specifies that, “…proposals take place in the media of communication, in casual meetings, organized meetings, legislative chambers, and committee hearings” (Blumer, 1971). The societal resources are what help social problems such as bullying to empower change. The Fourth stage in this process is the formation of an official proposal of action. This stage exemplifies the results in regard to the problem. The results are then taking to executive boardrooms where they discuss the official plan. In Blumer (1971) writing he states,
“The official plan is almost always a product of bargaining, in which diverse views and interests are accommodated. Compromises, concessions, tradeoffs, deference to influence, response to power, and judgments of what may be workable all play a part in the final formulation.” (Blumer, 1971)
This stage is never done on the first try because it consists of evaluating and reevaluating the elements of the social problem. According to Blumer the official plan revolves around the approved definition and what the people recognizes it and how they react to it. Lastly, this stage is the transformation of the official plan. This stage is simply measuring it out and making sure the official plan works. It sets the outcomes in line for new forms of action associated with social problem and people affected by the plan of action. At this point the plan is either an advantage or disadvantage to the people in the society. As Blumer (1971) clarified:
“The people who are in danger of losing advantages strive to restrict the plan or bend its operation to new directions. Those who stand to benefit from the plan may seek to exploit new opportunities. Or both groups may work out new accommodative arrangements unforeseen in the plan.” (Blumer, 1971)
Blumer further noted that, hidden modifications that were developed were not intentionally done. He also noted that with the explanation of the five stages would improve new perspectives. They’re many proposals that were the results of Blumer’s last phases for the prevention of bullying. One prevention method is get parents, teachers, and the community involved in bullying interventions. Publicize the consequences of bullying and the impacts that it cause. Lastly, adults should supervisor a little more during unstructured time. Furthermore, according to C.W. Mills’s writings the Sociological Imagination Works, he explained the distinctions between personal troubles and public issues. Mills stated that, personal trouble consist of the values that are directly impacted and makes a person individually aware. A public issue is when there are changes the environment as well as a person, and threatens the public values (Mills, 1959). In relation to bullying, the consequences created for defining the social phenomenon as a social problem is the number in suicides. (Sheridan, 2010)
In conclusion, society has been dealing with the challenges of bullying for years. Bully is a social problem that is common but many people experience separately. Bully show relations with the perspective labeling and deviant behavior. Bullies tend break society’s rules and act in a more deviant way once labeled. The various forms of bullying are physical, verbal, and cyber buying. Cyber bullying is the most popular form of bullying due to the technological advancement in the 21st century. Using Blumer’s five stages career a social problem was able to determine how a social problem originates and how it’s recognized. Bullying went from a private issue to a social problem so now part is implement change in a society for the next generations to come.

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