Bullying is not a recent phenomena, but is certainly more in the forefront of the American consciousness these days. Is it truly more prevalent? Or does the media portray it as such? Or is bullying in this century merely more vicious?

While it used to be rather stigmatizing to admit to being bullied, with modern sensitivity training and stranger danger being touted so alarmingly, kids today are taught to report every little thing which makes them even slightly uncomfortable. Little do they realize the far-reaching affects on those upon whom the reports are made.

This is certainly not to say that an injured or terrified child should not report a bully, or simply knuckle-under and take what's dished out, but that a certain common sense should prevail - especially among the adults involved.

It used to be that, if a boy said a girl was pretty and he'd like to kiss her, she'd run screaming back to her girlfriends - and they'd giggle about it today, that same girl will accuse that boy of harassment and the poor kid will likely, at the very least, spend a great deal of time in the Principal's office.

It used to be that, if Johnny gave Billy a black eye during a malt-shop tussle, Billy would slink home to lick his wounds; if he even told his parents, they'd tell him to man up and during the next altercation, likely Johnny would be the one hurrying home. Today, kids tell their parents that someone was picking on them and suddenly a police report is made and the kid is suspended from school.

Apparently, we've all lost our common sense.

Yes, there are times when police or school administration involvement is required: guns, knives, drugs, threats - all seem more serious these days. Perhaps they are; kids do seem to grow up faster, although these aren't necessarily signs of growth, more appropriately, they could be termed signs of moral decay.

Adversity, however, is indeed a sign of growth - when kids are allowed to face harsh situations, and allowed to deal with things themselves without the law or adults being involved, they learn and they mature.

There are, naturally, times when parents must step in, when life or limb is threatened. If an incident occurs on school property or during school hours, the administration must be notified; if it occurs elsewhere, the police should be called. Some kids who bully are indeed dangerous, and some kids who are bullied are in danger; no, we don't wish for our children to be hurt, but they

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about How can parents deal with bullying??
We want to hear your view. Write now!