In the race to find new perspective on and angles to the bullying culture, scientists, educators and parents are taking keen interest in the evolutionary characteristics of this trend. Studies led to the identification of a group that should have been witnesses of bullying, but instead chose to enjoy the show. These bystanders are as much a part of the bullying process as the ones initiating the act. On most occasions, the tragedies associated with bullying have been conveniently ignored. So what will you do if you witness bullying?

‘The more the merrier’ kind of mentality

There is no such thing as an “innocent” bystander when someone is being bullied ruthlessly before their eyes. The “innocent” bystanders are actually supporting the bullies by aiding them in their misadventures. This group will typically act out in the following ways: Stand idly and do nothing, look the other way, and encourage or join the bully. Sometimes, a teen will do so out of fear of being targeted by the playground baddies.

If a teen remains a bystander for too long, he/she becomes desensitised to cruelty. Moreover, if the silent observers start to fancy the bully then they are more likely to follow in the footsteps of the bully.

Excuses of the worst kind

When you listen to the excuses children come up with for their inability to act when the situation demanded them to act, it will become clear to you that most excuses tend to be basically weak. The most common of these include kids telling you that the bully is their friend, it was not their problem, the victim is not their friend, and that they don’t want to be branded as a snitch. It is far easier for teens to become members of an established group rather than spending their school days as an outcast.

Teens at loss

The greatest loss for teenagers who witness bullying without asking questions is developing a distorted worldview that lay stress on existing stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination. The death of conscience and lack of guilt restricts teens from developing empathy and compassion.

Classroom inspiration

Bully teachers are for real and they target specific kinds of people in the classroom on the basis of race, color, and background. The problem with such teachers is that they inspire so many kids in the classroom to become bullies that America will have no problem with finding recruits when they go to war next. This doesn’t mean that the teacher should not be held accountable in times of peace.

The unlikely hero

The unlikely hero will rise from nowhere and challenge the hegemony of the bullies. He/she will confront the bullies for all the wrongs they have ever committed on the school playground. Your kid can be that unlikely hero if you can manage to man them up a bit.

Turning the prevalent bullying culture on its head is possible when the current trends are remodeled. Supervision on the school playground and around the school premises should also be increased. We can all hope for the best when all the bases are covered.