bullying – erverta

At the year of 6, I went to the school for the very first time. Everything was unfamiliar to me, I met plenty of kids, who were confused by the new environment, strict adults and rules as I did. That was the day when I got to a “jail”, but I didn’t understand that.

Many of my friends from university miss their school times, they say everything was much easier, smoother and friendlier. I don’t agree with them at all. My school times, especially the middle school period, were tough and emotionally hard for me. The first school, where I went, was private and my parents supposed that education’s and teachers’ level would be higher rather than in public school. At one point they were right, but surrounding kids existed and they didn’t fit in my parents’ expectations.

I remember two of my classmates, two girls, who were sisters. They were very mean and evil, as a six-year-old child could think. Amina and Karina (names are changed) used to mock at other girls, who were shy and quiet. When one girl celebrated her birthday, they played a serious trick, so that girl had to change school. Sometimes I was their victim, but I didn’t pay that much attention, because their jokes didn’t go beyond the limits of what is permitted. In the second grade, the PSP game console gained popularity. My parents bought it for me as a present. I and my friends used to bring PSPs and play games together. One day boy named Arman (the name is changed) came to me and started teasing and threatening me. He aggressively told me to give him my gadget and money. It continued for two months. Only then I could tell my parents about bullying. Later we found out that this boy was an elder brother of Amina and Karina. I was scared that they will turn all the class against me for a complaint at their sibling.

Fortunately or not, next year I transferred to the public school near our house. In the beginning, everybody seemed to be friendly and kind. The first impression is false, though. Without getting into details, I can say that at this vulnerable period, when a little person is formed, I faced criticism, rumours behind my back, betrayal. I started hesitating about me and my self-esteem gradually fell down. People, whom I considered being my friends, didn’t like me at all. Maybe this is the reason why I never had close friends in school times.

A school is a place where different children are forced to study and communicate with each other for 11 years. It is hard to adapt to someone’s boundaries and vision of the world. I am endlessly glad that the school is over and today I study with people who are on the same wave with me.

I am pretty sure that many of you watched American films about teenagers and school drama. I think that you noticed that many antagonists act way too violent or rude, they use their force and power to oppress ones, who are weak. People are seeking a punching bag to express their anger and hatred, that they often receive at home. This is called bullying and it is the issue of all generations. Bullying is a type of aggressive behaviour, that involves a use of force or psychological terror, commonly happening in educational institutions and workplaces. There are also types like cyberbullying, gay bullying, disability bullying and etc.

Unfortunately, there is no place in the world without bullying, in Kazakhstan, every third school student experienced bullying and more than 3000 offenders were prosecuted. I have three little brothers. Almost every day my mom tells me about conflicts happening in siblings’ classes. All situations are related to bullying, even though there are undergraduates. It means that since small age kids are passing through with violence and dealing with their bullies. A classmate of my youngest brother is offended by a group of kids, who are throwing his bag, ripping his notebooks and calling him with insulting names. The worst thing about this situation is that his parents found out it not long ago. Adults are too busy to nurture their kids properly. It leads to a deficiency of attention, teen depression, aggressive behaviour and suicide. A kid wants to boost self-esteem so he or she starts bullying. Bullies are usually represented as a narcissistic, non-confident people who need to feel the power over others. It is important to understand that violence mustn’t be justified.

I personally think that all problems with self-acceptance and self-esteem are rooting to the aura inside of the family. Children who grow up surrounded by love and attention rarely become abusers in future. The point is if you ever have kids, raise them with proper values and always talk to them.

I was inspired by a video of The Village Kazakhstan. You can watch it here

Tag: bullying

The school times

It’s not a film, it’s a reality