The best defense against bullying is to be involved and a part of the social fabric of the school. It ain't cool picking on the track team that many different kids are on, but if its the kid who sits alone in the corner all day everyday and says nothing? Nobody is going to care or stand up for them because they're a total stranger.
Safe to say that things were much simpler back in the day.
Bullying isnt rocket science. It has been around from the beginning of time. Its alive and well in nature. Its called "survival of the fittest." The strong alpha creatures will always pick on the weaker ones...its hard coded in our dna.
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We continue to try to eliminate all sources of conflict out of children's lives.
Thanks for the thumbs up on Chicago. Been thinking of visiting but was concerned about safety there. Now I know I wouldn't have to worry.Here in Chicago, if a kid rode by and spit on you and you chased him into the ally to "kick him in the stomach," you'd probably find he was just luring you into a trap where he and his six buddies would take your lunch money and castrate you.
I appreciate all the current and upcoming stories of "little guys" who stood tough against bullies and won. But I'm not sure it's the same world today, at least in urban environments away from Mayberry, RFD.
I grew up in inner city Chicago and played in the streets daily with no real issues. I still live within a stone's throw from the old 'hood. I don't think I'd repeat now what I did then. Different times. Differrent world.
IMO part of the bullying problem is now kids are punished if they defend themselves. Back in my day routine schoolyard scuffles were allowed to play themselves out. Now bullying victims are told to remain passive, which endures until they become infuriated and resort to guns.
A huge problem. My petite grade school daughter was a target. I was ready to take her to krav maga classes since the administrators did nothing. Dw stumbled across a more effective solution. She groused about the situation on Facebook and when the principal had to deal with the start of a scandal things changed fast.
Personally I would have preferred she deliver a solid beating to the culprits, but in the schools today that comes with a heavy price.
Thanks for the thumbs up on Chicago. Been thinking of visiting but was concerned about safety there. Now I know I wouldn't have to worry.
I saw this in Facebook and think it's the way to handle the problem.
Yes, I agree. Many of the posters seem to be under the impression that all/most victims can physically and emotionally stand up for themselves. In fact, most can not. Bullies typically know how to select and isolate the victim before beginning the torture.Many of the comments here seem to be trivializing bullying.
Yes, again. And you're omitting an important category: mentally or physically handicapped kids, bullies favorite targets.Bullying is a very real issue for kids (and sometimes adults) who are different. For many kids who are gay, or kids who belong to a racial/religious/ethnic minority in their school or neighborhood, childhood can be hell or even dangerous because of bullying.
Good theory but not adaquate.
Nothing wrong with passing anti-bullying laws anymore than anti-stealing laws.
Teach kids to stand up for themselves? Fine. But now you'll have to let them stand up for themselves. The "establishment" will always tell you that but never permit it. They will tell you how they cannot tell the diff between the bully and the victorious victim. Off with both their heads.
And what about those not able to stand up for themselves. Bullies do not pick on the strong. They pick on the weak. Know why? They don't like consequences. Not from the victim and not from the "grow-ups" They do it because they know they can get away with it. They also travel in packs as has been mentioned previously. Everybody has to travel with a Posse.
Why not have parents and teachers teach and demand acceptable behavior WITH consequences, instead of being the constant Weasel Class. This is not The Jungle. Laws of the jungle have been suspended. Or at least the Means and Methods of the Jungle are no longer operative.