Behavior the Story \"Injustice\" Reveals Many Very

Behavior

The story "Injustice" reveals many very real concerns about the social structure in schools today. In this story, a seemingly normal boy, Rolf Mannington, becomes the victim of peer violence in the cafeteria at his school. This attack appears to be without clear motive. After all, why should other students have a problem with a boy with a neat, clean appearance, good grades, and a wealthy family? However, upon closer inspection Rolf Mannington can be seen to already have been isolated from his peers. Rolf did not fit in, and this segregation could have been a warning that a threat of violence existed. However, there are few people honestly looking out for the well-being of students. Harassment, emotional abuse, and outright violence are common in most schools, but these things are passed off as "normal" bullying or clique activity. Understanding that "bullying" of any kind is something which must be taken seriously is the key to preventing tragedy in the schools.

Bullying is very common in schools. Bullying has been shown to lead to a vast array of psychosocial problems for all students involved. For the bullies themselves, they have higher rates of conduct disorders. However, the bullies also tend to have high social standing. (Spivak) This is deeply disturbing trend in school social makeup. The children who are bullied, on the other hand, have high rates of emotional distress and social isolation. (Spivak) Peer relationship problems are very often linked to bullying of some sort. Although Rolf Mannington appeared to be normal and not having any problems, he was already socially isolated. That means that bullying was likely already taking place that involved him. Further concerns that must be kept in mind for boys like Rolf involve not only the present risk of violence or abuse, but also the long-term concerns for him. Those who are bullied are at a higher risk of many kinds of social and emotional disorders throughout life.

Isolation may also be caused by a social phenomenon referred to as "cliques." Cliques are simply close groups of friends, but the formation of such groups that ostracize and isolate other people, and often emotionally abuse others, is a common problem. Cliques may form out of a group of friends that will reject and torment even an individual with whom they used to socialize. (Rubiner) It is possible that even if Rolf Mannington came from a wealthy family and he could have had all of the "cool" things that normally attain social status in schools, he may have been the victim of being isolated by cliques which led to the violent episode in the school cafeteria.