Bullies
There's new research about bullying in schools that shows it can be linked with violent and criminal behavior later in life. No big surprise, but what's interesting are the efforts to stop kids from being bullied and harassed in what's supposed to be a learning environment. 22 states have passed anti-bully laws (why not all 50?), but the United States still lags behind other countries in dealing with the problem.
One of the reasons is that too many people think bullying is acceptable. It's astounding to me that there are parents and teachers who think that it will make a child stronger. A quote from the article: "But there are a lot of people who believe that bullying builds character, that if you get through it, you're better off." I know a father who thinks this way and I just don't understand it.
As a victim of junior high bullying myself, I can tell you that nothing about my brief experience did me any good or made me tougher in any way, shape or form. All it did was permanently taint my remaining public school years. My grades dropped, I became very shy, friends drifted away, extracurricular activities no longer interested me. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that my own children never have to go through that.
One of the reasons is that too many people think bullying is acceptable. It's astounding to me that there are parents and teachers who think that it will make a child stronger. A quote from the article: "But there are a lot of people who believe that bullying builds character, that if you get through it, you're better off." I know a father who thinks this way and I just don't understand it.
As a victim of junior high bullying myself, I can tell you that nothing about my brief experience did me any good or made me tougher in any way, shape or form. All it did was permanently taint my remaining public school years. My grades dropped, I became very shy, friends drifted away, extracurricular activities no longer interested me. I'll do whatever I can to make sure that my own children never have to go through that.
Permalink posted by Phil at 10:43 AM
6 Comments:
What make me incredibly sad is that even in preschool there are bullies. I had one in my class last year and the parents only response to their son being a bully was "he's a boy..it's what he does"
I was fortunate to be able to withstand the bullies, but they were a problem when I was in school. Now my son is in preschool and I can see those budding bullies already.
Yeah, it is unbelievable that there are still people (mostly dads but some moms too) who see bullying as normal, boys will be boys kind of behavior. Unfortunately kids who are bullies often are bullied themselves at home.
When my oldest daughter was bullied by a gang of rotten girls in 4th grade, and the teacher did nothing to stop it, I went to the school principal. His response - "well, maybe she should get a thicker skin."
Yeah, it is pretty surprising that this mentality persists. I don't think that people really think it through, either. I mean, are we really trying to teach our children (either the bullies or the bullied) that it's okay for the strong to push the weak around?
Hiya, Phil...I saw your response to my blog about me not having any new music...I do hear some "alternative" rock music every now and then, and some of that isn't bad at all. But what's this thing with the "White Stripes"? Good God, they're atrocious!
I was bullied all the way thru elementary school. I can't get close to people; I suck at relationships, I keep my distance and I live alone. Bullying makes some people angry enough to bring machine guns to school. It's made me basically hide. My self-confidence has been shot to hell for years now. Oh well.
Well anyway, thanks for the CD offer; if you're serious, I can give you my mailing address. Right now I'm listening to a cassette compilation I made of Deep Purple. I'm in Heaven, I tell ya!
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