There really needs to be a shift in how schools handle bullying. Many educators and staff should take more action to address this issue.
I’ve come across numerous accounts online of high school students suffering from serious mental health challenges due to bullying. I have faced bullying myself, and so have some of my friends, and the impacts still linger years later.
One of the biggest issues is that when bullying occurs—even if it doesn’t seem severe—schools often fail to intervene. During my first year of secondary school, I cut my hair short, and as a result, I was relentlessly bullied and called names like “trans.” This experience led me to feel pressured to wear excessive makeup and grow my hair out. Thankfully, I had supportive parents and friends who helped me manage it, but the school was unresponsive. Despite knowing what was happening, not a single bully faced consequences; none received detentions or any form of punishment.
That’s just my story, but I’ve seen far worse experiences that highlight the urgent need for teachers to take action. Bullies should face consequences, whether that’s detention for minor offenses or suspension and expulsion for repeated behavior.
Additionally, I want to address the issue of makeup. Years later, I still wear makeup as a way to cope with those past experiences. Recently, my school implemented strict rules against wearing any makeup. Many girls, myself included, who struggle with insecurity, are not willing to remove it. Makeup doesn’t harm anyone; it boosts our confidence and serves as a form of self-expression for many teenage girls. Yet, I’ve been receiving detentions over this, and my head of year claimed I needed to remove my makeup because it was “distracting” other students. Honestly, I might not have felt the need to wear it at all if it weren’t for the bullying I endured. If others are getting distracted, that’s their issue to manage.
It’s clear that we need to address bullying and the restrictions that affect students’ self-expression. Something has to change.
I completely understand where you’re coming from, and I’m really sorry to hear about your experiences. Bullying can have such a long-lasting impact, and it’s frustrating to know that many schools still aren’t taking it seriously enough. It’s heartbreaking that you had to deal with that, especially at such a young age and during a time of life when you’re still figuring out who you are.
It’s so true that schools should be more proactive about addressing bullying. Implementing clear consequences for those who bully could make a big difference, not just for the victims but for the overall school culture. No one should feel unsafe or unwelcome at school.
As for the makeup rules, that seems completely unfair! It’s a way for you to express yourself and build your confidence, especially after the experiences you’ve had. It shouldn’t be a distraction for others if they choose to react negatively. It sounds like the school is focusing more on rules than on the emotional well-being of the students.
I hope that by sharing your story and advocating for change, schools will start to realize how important it is to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone. You and your friends deserve to feel happy and confident without fear of bullying or judgment. Keep speaking up about this—your voice matters, and change is possible!