Recently a student killed himself after being bullied by fellow classmates. The parents are filing a lawsuit against the school. So the question becomes, who is responsible for the child’s death and should someone be held financially accountable?

Bullying is a huge issue not only in schools but in life in general. If I am honest, I know that have been on both ends at different times. I have been the bully and the victim. So I have conflicting feelings on this issue. On one hand, I feel that this is a natural part of life and growing up. However on the other, I feel that there definitely needs to be more education in our schools and if the school is aware of a particular situation of it, yet does not intervene, then they are partially responsible.

However placing blame on one entity can be a little tricky. Maybe the parents could be part of the problem in not having enough open communication with the child in the situation? Even the child involved has some responsibility in taking their own life even if they are of a minor age.

Another problem with placing the blame on a school system is that school systems are already deprived financially as it is. If parents start suing school systems, then where is that money going to come from, tax dollars and an already lacking educational system. Eventually parents will be forced to either pay or provide their own children’s education. Children will no longer be exposed to their peers which will have both positive and negative affects.

So while I can understand a parent’s anger and where they feel someone should be held responsible, I also feel there are too many loopholes in a case against the school system. I do however totally feel that we should start listening to these incidents and support more education in schools and in homes about bullying, victimization and the possible consequences. There are steps that can be taken towards prevention and the handling of it.