And the bullies should be forced into counseling paid for by their parents. Bullies are no different than racist. They find themselves to be better than others and they knock the others down to show their superiority.
I have to comment on this as I was bullied constantly from jr. through H.S. – by both genders. I had the trifecta- fat, in the band and smart. I was actually physically bullied at one point. I did not commit suicide, I got through it and became a stronger person. I am not condoning bullying but our nation has become one of soft, whining adults with children that are unable to cope with life. You cannot blame the school system for actions of the children that attend it- it starts at home.
I don’t totally agree with that position, Pro. I wasn’t bullied, but I think if the parents had gone to the school and asked for their help to curtail the bullying while the kids were in school, they had a duty to watch out for it and address it with the bully’s parents. Sitting idly by and allowing it to happen is no better than doing the actual bullying. They might as well have joined in.
Libby- understand your comments but I believe there are factors we may not know. ie: if the parents did indeed approach the school- were the bullies parents notified? (sometimes that too can backfire). However, I continue to stress the point that the bullied child’s parents should have helped him with his self-esteem. My daughter was bullied (she has Ausbergers)- she wanted to take Kempo lessons for self-esteem and ultimately got her brown belt. She’s never had to defend herself but her confidence level improved 100fold.
I can say that I do agree that building your child’s self-esteem does start at home. But even the bravest most confident kids can be brought down quickly by peers joking, harassing and threatening them. I always tell my kids (teenagers) to be kind to others, put yourself in their shoes and see how you would feel. And on the flip side that anything said derogatory about them will come and go, these people will come and go and if they can just get through middle and high school, that MOST, not ALL, people get more mature and nicer as they get older. In reality, you will never be loved by everyone, just not going to happen, but you need to love and respect yourself and that is top priority. My heart bleeds for this mother, as any parent, that has lost a child, devastating no matter what.
I hope we all have a great rest of the day and go home to hug our families tonight!!
How can you compare your circumstances to what we don’t know about this kids’?
What we do know is that the school isn’t being blamed/sued for bullying, but for negligence by not taking reasonable action to intervene and safeguard on school grounds when they were made aware of it repeatedly, for which they can be blamed, and made compensable under every state’s laws.
Get real…bullying has been going on for years and will continue to occur. I’m not saying it’s right. I don’t agree and don’t approve of it. HOWEVER, the parents should have got involved and taught the kid how to kick someone’s ass or at least stand up for himself. The famous kick boxer Troy Dorsey was bullied up until the 5th grade…that summer he enrolled in karate and they bullies moved on once he stood up for himself.
Tex,
Although I could not agree with you more that the solution you present worked quite well when I was a kid. The PC world we now live in would never support such a solution. Was not to long ago I read about a local police department charging a 10 year old with assualt for a school yard fight. Oh the times are changing and not always for the best, but change they will.
And the bullies should be forced into counseling paid for by their parents. Bullies are no different than racist. They find themselves to be better than others and they knock the others down to show their superiority.
I have to comment on this as I was bullied constantly from jr. through H.S. – by both genders. I had the trifecta- fat, in the band and smart. I was actually physically bullied at one point. I did not commit suicide, I got through it and became a stronger person. I am not condoning bullying but our nation has become one of soft, whining adults with children that are unable to cope with life. You cannot blame the school system for actions of the children that attend it- it starts at home.
I don’t totally agree with that position, Pro. I wasn’t bullied, but I think if the parents had gone to the school and asked for their help to curtail the bullying while the kids were in school, they had a duty to watch out for it and address it with the bully’s parents. Sitting idly by and allowing it to happen is no better than doing the actual bullying. They might as well have joined in.
Libby- understand your comments but I believe there are factors we may not know. ie: if the parents did indeed approach the school- were the bullies parents notified? (sometimes that too can backfire). However, I continue to stress the point that the bullied child’s parents should have helped him with his self-esteem. My daughter was bullied (she has Ausbergers)- she wanted to take Kempo lessons for self-esteem and ultimately got her brown belt. She’s never had to defend herself but her confidence level improved 100fold.
I can say that I do agree that building your child’s self-esteem does start at home. But even the bravest most confident kids can be brought down quickly by peers joking, harassing and threatening them. I always tell my kids (teenagers) to be kind to others, put yourself in their shoes and see how you would feel. And on the flip side that anything said derogatory about them will come and go, these people will come and go and if they can just get through middle and high school, that MOST, not ALL, people get more mature and nicer as they get older. In reality, you will never be loved by everyone, just not going to happen, but you need to love and respect yourself and that is top priority. My heart bleeds for this mother, as any parent, that has lost a child, devastating no matter what.
I hope we all have a great rest of the day and go home to hug our families tonight!!
Insurance Pro?
How can you compare your circumstances to what we don’t know about this kids’?
What we do know is that the school isn’t being blamed/sued for bullying, but for negligence by not taking reasonable action to intervene and safeguard on school grounds when they were made aware of it repeatedly, for which they can be blamed, and made compensable under every state’s laws.
excuse, me, …liable, not “compensable”.
Get real…bullying has been going on for years and will continue to occur. I’m not saying it’s right. I don’t agree and don’t approve of it. HOWEVER, the parents should have got involved and taught the kid how to kick someone’s ass or at least stand up for himself. The famous kick boxer Troy Dorsey was bullied up until the 5th grade…that summer he enrolled in karate and they bullies moved on once he stood up for himself.
Tex,
Although I could not agree with you more that the solution you present worked quite well when I was a kid. The PC world we now live in would never support such a solution. Was not to long ago I read about a local police department charging a 10 year old with assualt for a school yard fight. Oh the times are changing and not always for the best, but change they will.