Bullying blues (Bullying in Schools)

Member Name: athena

Product:	Bullying in Schools
Date:	28/09/01 (47 review reads)
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I am undoubtedly with many people when I say that bullying is a totally unacceptable practice. It is usually both physical and mental torture for the victim. Being bullied at school affects those people in some ways for the rest of their lives as we have seen from some of the admirable and heartfelt opinions in this dooyoo forum. Through your selflessness you may have encouraged someone who was being bullied to come forward or stopped somebody bullying others.

I think there are 2 main types of bullying:

1) To elevate the 'status' of the bully by showing off how strong they are to their friends (maybe taking the dinner money from several kids)

2) Singling out one or more children who the bully takes a dislike to for whatever reason-perhaps they are rich/ pretty/ ugly/ younger/ wear glasses or the bully is simply jealous. It could be for any reason but the victim is typically someone who is vulnerable and easy prey for the bully. They aren't going to choose someone who might retaliate as they could make the bully look stupid.

Whatever reason for bullying there are no instances where it can or should be tolerated. It hurts the person who is bullied, and if nothing is done about it, it tells the bully that bullying someone is OK and isn't really a big deal. That it is acceptable.

Bullys, like thieves don't always seem to understand the implications of what they have done. They can't comprehend the mental damage their actions cause. It is in every sense, pure victimisation, which shouldn't be tolerated in any instance.

I think they Government needs to consider something radical which can get to the root of the problem. I once saw a French documentary about a school. The victim went into the classroom and pointed out the bullys and the headteacher told the bullys that they had better befriend this boy and look after him because if anything happened to him- even if it was someone else- she wo
uld come down hard on them. And it worked, in that instance at least. I'm not saying that is what should be done, but something different to tackle the problem head on instead of sidelining it...something to change their mentality, or things won't change.

It must be noted that bully operate in every walk of life, not just schools...on anyone vulnerable. Children, the elderly, disabled people...if you start a new job a senior member of staff might bully you. Bullies at school can grow up to be bullies in later life and it shouldn't be simply tolerated. Protect yourself and others too by reporting bullies and raising awareness about bullying, or we might never be freed from their oppression.

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