The bullying that takes place in schools across the country is on the rise. Statistics suggest that nearly 30% of students are bullies or have been victimized by bullying. 160,000 kids stay home from school on any given day, to avoid bullies.
Many adults still see bullying as part of growing up. We need to change this misconception. Young people who are bullies grow up to be domestic abusers. A study published in “Pediatrics” reports that 1,400 men between 18 and 35 were interviewed…those that recalled bullying in school were four times more likely to beat their wives, girlfriends and children, showing that bullies don’t outgrow their aggressiveness. They are more likely to lose a job, commit a crime, lie, and have a higher likelihood of cheating and stealing.
With today’s social media, bullies no longer need to be present physically to bully someone. Facebook, Twitter, texting….all have become available for bullies to continue their behavior even when they are not in the vicinity of their victims.
Recently a student in my area received a death threat by text message. The student stayed home from school (lost educational opportunities) while authorities determined where the text came from. It was from a 10 year old boy, whose parents have obviously failed to teach him right from wrong. The legal system will have to work out this particular case, but here is my biggest concern:
We now have a bully running for the position of President of the United States of America. Look at the news clips from his rallies…”beat the crap out of him”, “I’d like to beat the sh*t out of him”, “get him out of here”, “throw him out, keep his coat, we’ll send it to him in a couple of weeks (this from a rally that took place in the winter”, “blood coming out of her wherever”. He has even offered to pay the legal fees of anyone who attacked people protesting against him. And worst of all, he physically mocked a disabled reporter. Haven’t we all tried to teach our children to be kind and compassionate? And now they see this.
Our children are watching a bully possibly rise to the highest position in the land. What kind of example are we setting for them?
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