Macklemore once said, "Bullying is a national epidemic." This quote really takes all types of bullying and classifies them into one category, an epidemic. Webster's dictionary defines epidemic as “affecting or tending to affect simultaneously a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region.” (Webster.com) This is true because of the wide range of communities and age groups that bullying can actually affect. At least one in six students is a victim of bullying, whether online, verbal or physical. (Nbcnews.com) It all starts in kindergarten, where most students will encounter or become the bully of their school for the next twelve years, then college, and then even after high school. In kindergarten, teachers reported that common bullying is not a rare occurrence. (Family.go.com) They consistently notice that the older children in each class understand that they are bigger and stronger. This causes them to exert their power for the fun of being the biggest kid in school. What he or she doesn't understand is that they are creating the foundation for bullying in the lives of every student they torture. This can cause problems in a young student's life before he or she even has a chance to truly grow and advocate for themselves. Being tortured so early causes issues with self-confidence and emotional stability. This is not only bad, but becomes a nightmare when society realizes that, because of this experience, these students will always be bullied and targeted. The foundation was laid during preschool and now the confidence to stand up for themselves simply depends on the people around them. One can only hope that there is a brave soul who …… middle of paper … the decision she makes for herself. Bullying will forever plague schools around the world, and it is important to know the ways in which school authorities and parents can help stop the impact bullying has on society and keep children's lives safe and happy. A better quality of life for students will provide them with less stressful lives and prevent many of the problems, such as depression and suicide, that can often be linked to childhood violence. Works Cited “Epidemic”. Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster, Web. May 13, 2014. “One in Six Students Is Regularly Bullied, Survey Shows.” Msnbc.com. Network. 13 May 2014. “Preschool bullies | Parenting". DisneyFamily.com. Network. May 13, 2014. "11 Facts About Bullying." DoSomething.org. Network. May 13, 2014. “RA Magazine.com | The question of responsibility | Bullying in college.” RA Magazine.com Web. May 13 2014