Remember when your parents would say "if you have nothing nice to say; don't say anything at all"? Parents have been passing down this little tidbit of wisdom for centuries, but it seems like we aren't listening. Everyday I hear another incident of bullying or frightening in our local high school. So if were being taught to be nice at an early age, what has gone wrong? I suspect some people get a feeling of power, while others feel they need to do it because it was done to them or they want to seem tougher so others won't bully them. And it's not just the kids, adults do it to.
As a kid, I was bullied almost everyday. Having moved schools in the middle of the 5th grade, I was the new kid. It was hard to make friends, I didn't fit in and I didn't wear the right clothes. Kids picked on me through school. Bullying included name calling, flicking of ears, locker slamming, shoving. Back then people just told you to toughen up and deal with it or fight back. Funny thing is today, some of those people are my "friends" on facebook. Did they forget about the bullying in their old age (most of us are pushing 50) now that they are parents? Are they now telling their kids the same old adage handed down to them?
Back in the 1970's you never heard about bullying in the news. There was no YouTube or camera cell phones to record these incidents. No Internet used to promote bullying for those to cowardly to do it face-to-face. Now there are more outlets and methods to bully and it really hasn't gotten any better, its just gotten more attention.
Attention is good though. This issues needs more attention from parents, school officials, politicians and children. I suggest just as there are state laws for schools drug free zones, there should also be state laws for no bully zones. Bullying should have similar penalties to drug use in a school zone. Maybe this way it will stop or at least kids will think twice. But that's only one possible solution.
Where this really needs to begin is at an early age at home. It's not good enough simply to say "if you have nothing nice to say; don't say anything at all." Parents need to realize that the way they act in front of their child is impressed upon their children and then reflected back into society. Kids do really look up to their parents (even though at times it may not seem that way). Remember bullying doesn't just mean name calling or physical abuse at school. Think about this; if your child is a bully, taped their exploits with their cell phone and posted it on You Tube or facebook for their friends to see, what would you do (assuming you found out)? Today there is cyberbullying on the Internet and text message bullying and other ways to bully using technology. Its faceless bullying and it can be more damaging than the face-to-face kind.
What children and adults (because remember it starts with the adults) need to practice is simply being nice. So what if the kid who sits in front of you has big ears and acne. Who cares if your boyfriend looked at another girl. Why can't the jocks like the drama kids. Instead of a color purple day or a wear a funny hat day, lets have a be nice to someone everyday. Being nice will make you and everyone around you fell good. Bullying is a serious issue and it needs to stop now.
Attention is good though. This issues needs more attention from parents, school officials, politicians and children. I suggest just as there are state laws for schools drug free zones, there should also be state laws for no bully zones. Bullying should have similar penalties to drug use in a school zone. Maybe this way it will stop or at least kids will think twice. But that's only one possible solution.
Where this really needs to begin is at an early age at home. It's not good enough simply to say "if you have nothing nice to say; don't say anything at all." Parents need to realize that the way they act in front of their child is impressed upon their children and then reflected back into society. Kids do really look up to their parents (even though at times it may not seem that way). Remember bullying doesn't just mean name calling or physical abuse at school. Think about this; if your child is a bully, taped their exploits with their cell phone and posted it on You Tube or facebook for their friends to see, what would you do (assuming you found out)? Today there is cyberbullying on the Internet and text message bullying and other ways to bully using technology. Its faceless bullying and it can be more damaging than the face-to-face kind.
What children and adults (because remember it starts with the adults) need to practice is simply being nice. So what if the kid who sits in front of you has big ears and acne. Who cares if your boyfriend looked at another girl. Why can't the jocks like the drama kids. Instead of a color purple day or a wear a funny hat day, lets have a be nice to someone everyday. Being nice will make you and everyone around you fell good. Bullying is a serious issue and it needs to stop now.
If you interested in reading more about bullying for kids as well as adults go to the Stop Bullying Now Website for more information.
Special thanks to my daughter, who requested I write something on this subject as she see examples of this everyday in school.
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