I wonder if bullying has become much more common in recent decades. When I was in HS In the late ‘60s, the term “bullying” was not even in our vocabularies. We used the term “picking on” to describe what was mostly verbal harassment and very minor, if any physical contact. And there was very little of that.
‘I wonder if bullying has become much more common in recent decades.”
While reading all of this I came to the same conclusion. Back then those that did the “picking on” threw out a few verbal remarks and moved on with nothing physical.
I see the bullying problem of today a byproduct of our cultural shift towards leftism, where it starts in school and progresses to the violence that fills our streets and prisons of today.
Some day we will return to sound family values, the rule of law and high moral standards. This will be long after I’m croaked off, but it will and we will have a better America once again. We just need more Trumps to keep the ball rolling in that direction.
‘We used the term “picking on” to describe what was mostly verbal harassment and very minor, if any physical contact. And there was very little of that.’
that’s how I remember it from the early ‘60’s...it was mostly a showboating thing...
I experienced and saw bullying to a large degree at many levels. It is possible that being a military brat put me in an environment where there might have been more of it (people coming and going, constantly having to prove themselves or measure up in new environments, etc) but I don’t think so.
I think it is a part of the human condition, and it starts at a young age.
Just my opinion.
Actually, I recall the term “bully” back in the ‘70s.
But unlike today, where the (homo-induced) fad “against” being mean uses the term “bully”, it meant a specific kind of meanness.
A bully was someone who either a) consistently intimidated any given kids who were in his way b) consistently picked on a specific person to the point of following them if possible.
Lots of what they cover is really just “picking on”, although that’s not fun either when it’s consistent.
I had LOTS of that in elementary & middle school; along with some genuine bullying.
I was too ugly for people to resist pushing me around.
There was very little serious bullying at school because the teachers would get involved, they would get a hold of a bully and get them to the principal. Other students- the bullied child, an older sibling or friend would beat up the bully. Now that doesn’t happen because of all the liberal lawsuits, teachers worried about getting fired and students getting in just as much trouble as the bully if they defend themselves or another.