TOW #29: Documentary (2)

Last week, I viewed the documentary "Bully". "Bully" revolves around teens and their problems with bullying. I loved it. I thought it accurately depicted some of the real struggles and dangers of bullying in high school that are seen every day. There are a few arguments that were made throughout the film, most with which I'd agreed.
   The first and probably most prominent argument I noticed was that bullying is still a big problem in high schools around the nation. The documentary argued this by exemplification of students in schools. Throughout the video, the cameramen follow a few students and go with them through their school day, making sure to capture every interaction and every encounter by other students, teachers, and family members. I completely agree with the idea that bullying still takes place in high schools today, along with the argument that not many people do anything about it. I see it in my high school occasionally. Many don't know that they're doing it, but even making fun of a girl three grades below might make an impact. It doesn't happen too often, but when bullying does occur, I know for a fact that it has more of a toll than most think. The argument that nothing is done about it is also accurate, in my book. Of course, teachers will break up fistfights and hair pulling in the hallway, but what most of them will let slide are the verbal taunts, the ones that pull the emotional strings of students. It's so easy to break down the self-confidence of a high school student who is only trying to fit in and make friends.
   Another argument made in the documentary is that the students normally do not bring the bullying onto themselves, and it is solely the other students. In some ways, I do agree with this, but in other ways, I think that this isn't completely true. I think there are definitely students who initiate arguments and bring the bullying onto themselves, which, of course, in no way makes the bullying okay in any sense. Sometimes, however, bullies don't begin to bully unless they really have a reason to. In most cases, though, it is because of a problem they have either at home or an insecurity they have about themselves.
     I remember in 8th grade when a man came and spoke to our class about his son, Patrick, who committed suicide after being bullied over the internet. I think technology has definitely opened a new road for bullies, because they can easily hide behind their screen. It's amazing that almost 75% of students in public schools have either witnessed or have been the victim of bullying. That's almost 3/4 of students across the country. It's incontrovertible that this is a huge problem, and I'm glad that someone decided to make a documentary about it.