by C.D. Crowder

Created on: March 23, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2009

Learning how to take a joke is a part of life; however, there's a point where joking may turn into bullying. How do you know when you're crossing the line? When it's more about making someone hurt rather than making them laugh. No one should have to put up with bullies. People should be allowed to be themselves whether others respect them or not, it's everyone's responsibility to allow others to live their lives in peace.

~How Would It Make You Feel

The golden rule says to do undo others as you would have them do unto you. Bullies often turn into bullies due to being a victim themselves at some point. Maybe they had bad home situations or they didn't fit in at their schools. Whatever the reason, they've been there before and decided the only way to prevent the abuse was to become the abuser.

Ask yourself how your comments would make you feel. Would you find them amusing or fun if the roles were reversed? Could you handle the pressure you put on others? If the answers are no, then it's time to realize you're a bully. If you didn't like being a victim, neither will others. It's your responsibility to stop the cycle. Be a better person and learn to simply have fun.

~How Do Others React

When you're with friends, do they honestly respect you? Most bullies travel in packs. There are leaders and followers. Followers don't want to be picked on, so they hang out with bullies for protection. Odds are, the followers are more likely to be afraid of the bullies than they are of being respectful of them You may believe you're just out having fun with friends, but if they're afraid of you, you're the only one having fun.

Humans are social creatures. What some may believe is harmless fun is actually bullying to others. If no one else enjoys what's going on, then it's not fun. Instead, you're turning people away from you. Judge other people's reactions during your supposedly harmless fun. If they seem hurt, confused, or upset, then you're bullying.

~Do They Deserve It

Let's face it, everyone may deserve to be the butt of a joke or prank once in a while, it's all in good fun. However, do they deserve to be constantly abused over things? For instance, do nerds really deserve to be teased and pushed around simply because they're smart? After all, aren't we supposed to be intelligent creatures?

No one deserves to be mocked simply for being themselves. Bullies become bullies to prevent being themselves. It's a human's right to be who you want to be without being bullied. When fun turns to abuse, you've crossed the line.

The line between harmless fun and bullying is very clear. When no one's having fun except the bully, then it's time to move on to new friends. Nothing changes a bully faster than not having victims. It's your responsibility as a human being to ignore bullies in order to help them change into better, more respectable people.

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