by Tim Driver

Created on: May 14, 2010

Having taught at-risk youth for many years, and also having been a principal, I can testify that the art of bullying goes way back to long before the hijacking of milk money or the well executed swirly. Countries, and the men and women connected with them have bullied others for land, resources, power, and greed. It speaks more to the flaws in humankind rather than to a school system. Even so, schools seem to be an area of cultural hypersensitivity when it comes to bullying. These human traits and school deficiencies combine to explain why such bullying exists in schools.

* False sense of entitlement- 

The source of a majority of bullying stems from one or more persons believing that they are entitled to something that they are not. Whether it be someone else's property, popularity, success, recognition, superiority or many other sought after commodities, kids feel that somehow  the rules or means by which those things they desire  to acquire do not apply to them. Rules are for others, not the bullier.  Entitlement is ugly on everyone, and originates from either a sense of arrogance or inferiority.

* Fallen sense of Expectation-

Schools currently tend to be in the business of maintaining the status quo. Few are willing to take on the fight of an increased accountability for all teachers, administrators, parents and students. Those who try often run into disgruntled parents, administrators, or school boards. Everyone talks about how achievement and standards need to be constantly improved upon, but few (if any) speak of a return to dealing strictly with all misbehavior, regardless of who the parents might be, or the negative consequences that may result. High levels of achievement and low levels of behavior simply do not coexist.

Fractured sense of equality-

Even within the climate of "fairness for all", ask any student who is willing to be honest with you, and they will tell you that certain students get breaks from the system that others do not.  Whether it be a popular athlete, or a student who a staff member feels sorry for, kids spot injustice immediately. Teenagers especially have a sense of justice that is so acute, that even when they cannot articulate the reasons, they are quick to cry, "That's not FAIR!"  Some who feel that the deck is stacked against them, having no control of outcomes no matter how hard they try, are prone to act aggressively towards others. That don't take kindly to being punished for something that others get away with, nor missing out on a reward that others often get.

Bullying is not a school problem, it is a societal problem. The challenges of teaching kids to deal with injustice, inequality, and SELF-RESPONSIBILITY are never ending. That does not mean that we should not continue the effort however. To give in and accept status quo or mediocrity, ensures that we will have a much bigger fight on our hands. Bullying is just one example.

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