What goes around.... (Bullying in Schools)

Member Name: raynor238

Product:	Bullying in Schools
Date:	01/05/01 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Absolutely none

Disadvantages: Just read the other ops - the disadvantages are made very clear

I am thouroughly ashamed to admit it, but at 10 years old I was a bully.

For the 12 months that I was in the oldest class at school, I became a complete bastard. I was big for my age and for some reason I thought that gave me the divine right to pick on 4 or 5 of the smaller kids.

Thank God I learnt my lesson.

The secondary school I went to was a far bigger place than I anticipated, and within a couple of months, the tables had turned.
For the next 2 years I was ritually humiliated by a group 2 years older than myself. My lunch money was stolen every week, I was forced to perform very publicly embarrassing acts, but worst of all, half the school were under the impression that I could not control myself, as they regularly covered me with dog-dirt and jeered at me, calling me 'Sh**ty pants'.

I deserved it, and knew it. One of my bullies was the older brother of one of my former 'victims'. I put up with it, crying myself to sleep, as I had no-one to confide in. How could I possibly be upset when all my family and friends had been made aware of what a little git I had been.

It was in the 3rd year that I experienced the most humbling act I have ever witnessed.

Whilst being mocked and jeered again, a couple of big lads stepped forward and put a stop to it. One of the lads I knew was a couple of years older than me, and the other one I half recognised as being the star of the second years rugby team - and who was managing to get all the girls from my year.

Between them, they threatened all the bullies, who like the cowards that all bullies are, backed down, and my little personal hell was over.

The young lad turned to me and said 'not very f*****g nice is it' and smiled, offering me his hand. He was one of my 'victims'

We remained friends for the next 7 years till he moved to Africa.

Both he and I were lucky. He got big, and good looking. I learnt m
y lesson.

It wasn't till I was being bullied that that I realised how sickening it is. I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced it realises how it can destroy you. I consider myself blessed that I am not plagued with nightmares and irrational self-guilt for the torment I suffered , unlike other poor souls who live it every day for the rest of their lives.

I am feeling terrible at the moment purely because of the memories of what I did to others. But nothing is ever going to take away what they suffered. I was moved to writing this after reading many of the other ops on the site. I can only wish you all well and hope your scars don't run too deep.

I heard recently an argument that bullying prepares kids for the adult working world. Bollocks.

Leave adult life lessons for the the adults. Let kids grow up in a safe environment where they can ALL be allowed to develop their potentials - not just the big/clever/sporty/pretty ones.

Summary: