Gratefully, I have not had any real problems with bullies this year. Of all my worries about my kids, I worry most about my kids being targeted by a bully. I hate the idea of a child being ridiculed or pushed around. Too many of my friends have told me stories about mean kids making other kids feel horrible every school day. My 8th grader says that bullying happens all the time. What scares me is that he is used to seeing it happen. Bullying shouldn't be a "normal" part of the school environment. Now groups of kids practice social bullying. There seems to be some kind of jockeying for power among these groups. It's very tough to be a kid today, routinely being evaluated and categorized. Bullying has always been part of childhood, but I think that it has never been as pervasive as it is now. It is also alarming to think of the level of cruelty and callousness that is starting to become more prevalent with some kids. What kind of adults will they turn into? There has to be some kind of intervention that can take place to stop this epidemic of bullying.
We have anti-bullying programs in our schools, but I think that most of those lessons fall on deaf ears when the bullies are in the audience. There are subtle, under the radar ways to belittle someone else. Being ignored can be very hurtful too. Many kids dread going to school. Emotionally, they are crippled from this daily bullying.
After reading many news stories of suicides resulting from bullying, it is clearly a serious problem that is affecting every community. If you get the chance, please read this article that calls parents to action. I feel compelled to do something. I don't know what I can do, but I have to try. Maybe I need to organize some kind of grassroots group among other concerned parents. I call this blog: My Voice, My View. I need to start exercising that voice for the children. Thank you for listening.
http://yorktown.patch.com/articles/an-army-of-one-2
19 comments:
My daughter got bullied when she was younger and the school refused to see there was a problem. Sadly, my husband had to threaten to sue them for not doing anything before they did something.
So many schools don't want to acknowledge they have a problem with it.
Bullying is something that really bothers me too. I hate to see a group pick on one or two and I worry about what it will do to the child.
Bullying is a big problem in our country too and I think tht not just schools but parents shoud get involved too. If they spot the signs that their child is doing the bullying or that their child is being bullied then they can try and take action to stop it. Sadly the children tend to hide what is happening as they often think it is their fault. A very difficulot situation indeed. Carol x
Good post, Kelly. Kids need to know that someone is on their side. You've done a great service today, especially for those kids who feel they have no avenue but to take their own lives.
Good issue Kelly, I think bullying is world wide, it certainly is here. some have even committed sucicide because they were bullied.
I think parents have a role to play in noticing the tell tale signs and/or tell their children the harm bullying can do.
Yvonne.
Such a sad issue and such an unnecessary part of childhood. I'm proud of you for standing up for the defenseless. Keep us posted.
I'm with you on this! I cannot bear for children to be mistreated by other children. It is serious and so unnecessary.
Education, education, education!
I'm so glad you spoke out, with your voice and your view!
It is so easy to be kind!
Most of us have been made fun of as kids. There seems to be no escaping that. However, it has taken on a whole new life these days.
I used to work in the County Attorney's office, juvenile division, and I can tell you that simple teasing has reached a level of meanness that is beyond normal. There is little empathy, and these kids are going to such extremes that result in very real injury.
You are correct. We, as parents, need to take some very real action with the school system as well as our own children.
Keep talking Kelly!
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your thoughts on bullying. I have to check out the article. It's sad that kids have to go through this. I hope we are all able to help change things. Thanks for your awareness and voice.
I never felt bullied but my husband said it happened to him all the time. I think it starts with parents teaching their kids about it - how to prevent it and how to protect themselves. Thank you for sharing this.
As a child I was bullied and I can't agree more with what you say. Since I couldn't tackle the problem in school, I became a bully outside, with the kids in the neighbourhood. It was my way of getting back. I'm glad I stopped that in the third grade, when we moved to a new place and school. But it made me an introvert.
We don't have an anti-bullying program in our country, but it doesn't seem to have such frightening proportions in the primary level. Bullying happens more in the middle to senior level.
Great article! As someone who worked in schools, I can tell you that the administration knows when they have a bullying problem. they just choose not to acknowledge it because it opens them up to liability. sad, but true. as with most other school reform movements (MADD, for example) change has to start with the parents.
I'm a memeber on fb of YA writers against bullying. It is a sad thing. And Kel, Christopher has been bullied, teased, and hurt by kids who think nothing of making a child feel bad. But Christopher was homeschooled like my others. The bullying he had to endure came from church kids. :(
I'm with you. I am speaking out.
Sorry I haven't been by this week, but I have been worse. :( Love you.
I'm terrified of this. Iknow my very sensitive son will most likely be a target and I'm doing everything I can to prepare him to weather these storms. It is a horrible thing.
We are taught to address bullying the moment we see it and to get the guidance counselors or principals involved, but with the new "cyber bullying" this is hard to now see...
My son was picked on last year, but after contacting the principal, it stopped.
Bullying is a problem. But there is no easy solution. Kids learn what they live and let's face it this often isn't good
It's everywhere. Just about. I was SO proud of Mr. Man today for telling a teacher at recess when a student was harrassing him. He needs to know how to stand up for himself - and that it will work. He's a kid who'll always have a target on his back.
That said, I'll never send him to our home school elementary because of all the bullying issues on the bus. It's not where Little Miss goes, and he'd have to ride the bus to get there - since I couldn't drive them both and have them both be on time. It's a sad state of affairs, but many have pulled their kids.
I worry so much about bullying since my oldest son is starting school soon, and he really isn't used to being with so many kids around. I don't know how he would fair ...
Great post, this really needs to stop. We all young and old need to continue to speak up and out.
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