Bullying

[fezzyfestoon]

Am I the only one that finds the general conversation surrounding bullying completely off base? We encourage victim mentalities and persecute children who are often the most troubled. We ignore the crisis of confidence and insist nothing negative ever be said to our kids. Yet we make bullies out to be criminals, essentially bullying them and likely setting them up for failure. I think bullying is a problem, but I don't think it's the problem we're making it out to be. It's only going to get worse if we keep treating our children like helpless losers.

[fezzyfestoon]

These stories are the kinds we should be giving attention to. The media fetishization of violence and the perpetuation of creating celebrities of murderers and bullies no doubt contributes to our culture of violence. That and the casual airing extreme violence it in fiction. Maybe if being a positive influence on your community garnered any attention at all, our social media obsessed kids would be more inclined to be good people.

[fezzyfestoon]

Yeah, I experienced bullying too, and the only thing worse than taking it was having an adult step in. Kids need to have the balls to do what's right and stand up for each other. Standing by needs to be emphasized to kids as being just as bad as bullying itself. Kids need to be the answer. Teachers aren't around all the time to protect kids. And kids shouldn't feel like they need protection, they should be empowered and defended. I know it's hard for kids who are bullied and there's nothing you can do in a lot of situations, but I just don't think pity is a healthy way to help someone. Nor is being shielded by a larger display of force as their only line of defense. We empower the bullies by acknowledging that they have so much influence over their peers that no one but a person in a position of great power can stop them. I don't think that teaches them or the victims anything other than that bullies won't or don't have to stop if not for authority. It's not right or wrong that forces them to stop, just force. I do see your point, and teachers do definitely need to be more educated on, aware of, and proactive about it.