By Lydia Di Giulio
In today’s society, as we are all aware, bullying and peer group pressure are still ongoing issues in schools and are of great concern in our communities.
But is bullying as difficult an issue to target and overcome as it may initially be considered to be? I believe that tackling this serious issue head-on, working out and implementing strategies to combat bullying and peer group pressure is a great start in overcoming this problem. Ignoring the problem or sweeping it under the carpet is never a viable solution and bullying should never be ignored.
Are enough measures being taken and are adequate anti-bullying strategies being implemented in schools to rectify this matter of concern?
Every child has the right to enjoy their education and school experience without being subjected to bullying and peer group pressure.
Every child has their own unique personality traits and life experiences that they bring to the classroom. Every child has the right to be treated with respect, and as an individual.
Every child has their own positive attributes that they can contribute to the group at large, and that others can benefit from.
But why do some children bully others? Do they really understand the impact and detrimental effects that bullying and peer group pressure can have on the individuals being targeted?
Sometimes it’s difficult to put yourself in someone else’s position and to be able to see things from their perspective unless you happen to get a taste of your own medicine and somehow end up being in a similar situation.
As a Children’s Author, I am extremely passionate about this topic, especially since I was bullied as a student at school and I am aware, through personal experience, of the detrimental effects that bullying can have on those being targeted.
“Cara the Class Clown” is a humorous and engaging children’s novel which contains a powerful message about bullying and its consequences. This book shows children, first-hand, the detrimental effects that bullying and peer group pressure can have on the individuals being targeted. It also highlights the importance of being considerate of the feelings of others and the benefits of true friendship.
In the story, Cara perceives herself to be the Class Clown at school, and she is very proud of her title. But what she has failed to realize is that she is actually being the school bully instead.
What makes this book so unique is that the protagonists in the story are actually cockroaches who display human-like behaviours but still retain their cockroach characteristics.