by R.L Hanlon

Created on: March 20, 2009   Last Updated: June 06, 2009

Bullying exists everywhere. It has been seen in the preschool playground, in primary and high school and also operates in the work environment, in politics, at home and in online social communities. It is not exclusively a behavior that males or females do, nor does it exclusively affect either sex. Bullying doesn't occur in just one particular area or country, it is happening all over the world.

Today we have so many types of bullying and it can be played out over a broad number of platforms. Bullying has become part of our modern reality but should not be excused and nor should it be ignored.

Where is the line between harmless fun and bullying? At what stage is that line crossed? Does the person even know that what they're doing may be considered bullying? Continue reading to discover when harmless fun and jocularity crosses the line to become bullying and potentially dangerous behavior.

WHY ARE KIDS SO CRUEL?

From preschool to adulthood we will meet people who can be cruel, and unfortunately children can often be the cruelest. We hear taunts about our name, the friends we have chosen, and the color of our skin and even about how our facial features may look to another.

Unfortunately many of us have experienced some of the above; maybe we were the one dishing it out. But we can all relate to some type of bullying that we have witnessed in our lives. How does a race that can experience emotions as we do be so great yet so mean at the same time?

Pressure to fit in, issues with self-confidence and a lack of empathy is just a few of the reasons we can be so cruel. Trying to find your place in the world is something we do from a young age, but with little to no guidance we can often turn to destructive behavior that can have huge ramifications.

BULLYING IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOUR

With little or no guidance, emotions and behaviors that are admirable and desirable in many people may not be taught or learnt. Communication is essential from birth to teens; encouragement of self-esteem, empathy and compassion, teamwork and sharing is what parents need to teach.

But what if the parents lack some of these qualities? What is they preach but do not act on what they preach? What if they don't even consider what their roles are as parents, as mentors and guardians of the future generation? Then these characteristics will not be taught, therefore leading to the same inherent behavior repeating throughout future generations.

WHAT IS HARMLESS

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