Exploratory Essay

 

Brianna Aitchison

Ms. McKoy

English 2

07 February 2013

Mind of a Victim

            “Why am I here?” runs through her mind every day.  “Do I really belong in this world?”  is a question she cannot seem to fully answer.  “I just want to die” is a statement she says, which some may believe or just take it as a joke.  “She” is my sister Samantha.  Samantha is the kind who can make you smile on a rainy day and inspire you to do whatever you never wanted to do.  Starting her first year in middle school, she has been faced with going to school and being bullied.  Bursting into tears and into my arms, Samantha comes home asking these questions and searching for the answer. Finding ways to comfort her, I work through the issues and comments that have been placed on her mind telling her the best decisions I think she should make. Some of the decisions I suggest to her is to tell a teacher or principal. Also, I tell her to even talk to our parents about the issue.  After, the situation seems to get better it collapses once again, and she returns to being a victim for a bully.

            Bullying is a word that can summarize many different forms.  Stamp Out Bullying states, “Bullying comes in different forms such as: Verbal, Physical, Social, and Cyber.” It is very important to know the different forms, so that when anyone can see bullying occurring they do not have to be a bystander. Then, they can stick up for the victim and stop it from happening.  Also, when someone is choosing a path to say a statement that is harsh their subconscious self can take a moment and think about the consequences that can occur to themselves, or those they want to hurt even if it may not be on purpose.  In addition, the website also tells the effects that bullying has on a person, such as depression, stomach aches, suicide and anxiety being a few of the effects.  This information is dependable because on the website it states the last update.  Also, because it ends in .co.uk rather then .com which means it is a company in the United Kingdom, and it cannot be updated by others.  Stamp Out Bullying can help me in my research by telling others what bullying is and the possible ever lasting effects it has on a person.

            Beginning with this initial research it has helped begin guide my project in many ways.  One of those ways is to tell about the ways bullying can be seen because many people do not seem to know.  This process has also helped to find a beginning point to where I can branch out and tell about my essential questions.  “Does bullying mainly have to lead to suicide?” is my main essential question.  To develop my thesis statement more which states, I do not think bullying has to lead to suicide I created 5 questions that can help prove my point better.  How can someone find help for suicide thoughts? Also, should students and parents be aware of the thoughts that come to mind of a bullied victim?  Are a few of the questions I have in mind.  In addition, these questions I feel can definitely prove a point of how I feel bullying does not need to lead to suicide.

            I would like to do further research on if bullying has to lead to suicide because I want students to know how the actions they make can affect another person’s mind and the way they react. Also, because I want everyone who has someone in their family, friendships, or any other relationships to know ways they can help someone or even themselves if this may become or is an issue.  Bullying does not have to lead to suicide, and a possible argument that I make is, if in most bullying cases does suicide occur or in extreme bullying cases is suicide seen to occur more.  Although, it may not be a choice anyone may want to take it is a great way to grab a hold of the chances and stop being a victim of bullying and suicidal thoughts.

Works Cited

“Different Types of Bullying.” Stampoutbullying. 30 Nov. 2012. Stamp Out Bullying. Web. 29 Jan. 2013 <http://www.stampoutbullying.co.uk/types>.