Posted on 03/21/2012 2:14:53 PM PDT by Mr. K
Over 13 million American kids will be bullied this year, making it the most common form of violence experienced by young people in the nation. The new documentary film BULLY, directed by Sundance and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, brings human scale to this startling statistic, offering an intimate, unflinching look at how bullying has touched five kids and their families.
Ralphie vs. Scott Farkis is all anyone needs to know about how to handle a bully.
When our son (now 34 )was growing up, I told him he better not throw the first punch but, if someone else did, I would back him all the way up to the Supreme Court if he defended himself. Not only did he not get bullied, he became “My Bodyguard” to the kids who did. Our daughter now informs me that our son would end up in juvie court today. There is such wailing and gnashing of teeth today because things happen and the other kids don’t raise a hand. People say “how can kids today have no empathy?” If they value their freedom, they can’t defend themselves OR another student. What a world!
When our son (now 34 )was growing up, I told him he better not throw the first punch but, if someone else did, I would back him all the way up to the Supreme Court if he defended himself. Not only did he not get bullied, he became “My Bodyguard” to the kids who did. Our daughter now informs me that our son would end up in juvie court today. There is such wailing and gnashing of teeth today because things happen and the other kids don’t raise a hand. People say “how can kids today have no empathy?” If they value their freedom, they can’t defend themselves OR another student. What a world!
Unfortunately, I spent 10 years being bullied because I tried to follow my parents’ non-violent instruction.
Finally lost it in 10th grade and took the guy on. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out. This was apparently the dawn of “zero tolerance,” and the brilliant principal suspended both of us for 3 days.
But nobody bother me for the next three years.
Apparently you just have to be willing to fight. You don’t even have to win that fight.
Taught my own kids what you taught yours. Any bullying was short term for them.
Bullies typically don't go after those kids who are able to stand up for themselves. But they can make school hell for someone who is small, shy, and smarter than the majority of other students.
Kids commit suicide because of bullying every year. In some cases, they and their parents approached the school, and their complaint was shrugged off--maybe because of laziness, maybe because of the attitude that kids should "just" stand up for themselves and bullying won't be a problem. It's hard for a kid for whom school is utter hell to see that there really is a life beyond school.
Others, who may not have been pushed to the point of suicide, suffer life long scars because of bullying. The trauma can cause difficulty finding and keeping a job, or having a stable relationship.
I'm glad that more attention is being paid to the problem of bullying. I just hope it's not made political, as in only noticing bullying when (supposed) LBTG kids are the targets, but ignoring it otherwise. Bullying behavior is illegal for adults; it's time to hold kids to that standard.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.