THE BIGGER PICTURE
Bullies have been around since the beginning of human history. Every kid has been bullied at some time or another as they were growing up. But the way that we see bullying or being bullied has changed. In my opinion we have exaggerated it.
It seems that in today's world , being bullied has a greater impact on a child's life than in days gone by. It has become a bigger problem. Why?
I do not think that it is because of the bullies themselves that being bullied has become a bigger problem in a child's life . i think that responsibility lies in how today's society's response to a child being bullied. We pass on how we see it to the children. We respond with sympathy to the child and want to blame and punish the bully just as if he is an adult perpetrator. We see the child as a helpless victim. So they feel helpless with no way out. We do not teach them that there may be a way they can defend themselves. we expect nothing from them.
7th grader in Gardner, Illinois says school bully attacked her
during gym class
MY REACTION TO THE VIDEO
This story actually makes the news. Why?
Turned it over to the state's attorneys office???? Oh please! These are kids.... One was an asshole, Her actions were probably spur of the moment, to impress friends, but regardless ..no stitches..but lots of hurt feelings./ the offending kid is expelled;;;;maybe the mom can sue for dental expenses BUT then CASE CLOSED! Period..... don't make these kids think they are criminal and assault victim....safe spaces??? You are enabling the crippling of an entire generation's ability to handle adversity and to handle reality in the real world. You think you are taking up for them but you are doing them a grave injustice. You give them an exaggerated sense of feeling wronged, and of feeling and being rIght to the exclusion of exploring, debating or even hearing other ideas , You give them an exaggerated view of the importance of feelings without teaching them to inform these feelings with facts .You tell them that life is supposed to be fair without ever telling them that , in point of fact, life is actually NOT fair. You teach them that there should be safe spaces. . Instead of being able to handle disagreements and adversity in adulthood you are setting them up to be the whiners and crybabies who are unable to handle reality in the real world. You are setting them up to be eaten alive!
They are not the center of the universe. Their feelings do not matter in the workplace or adult interactions. The facts and your actions matter. Save the feelings for those close to you but don't ever rely on feelings alone. In essence you are lying to them about reality. You are certainly not helping them to handle it. They can't see a bigger perspective. They have only one perspective, from their own point of view. In life that will become a disability.
