Be a Friend -- not a Bully (pass it on)

[mecllap]

Anyone have workable ideas to help a kid who has trouble dealing with taunting, teasing, and bullying around school and especially on the bus? Bullying seems to be even more pervasive these days and bus drivers and school personnel are overwhelmed and losing ground in the "fight."

A universal slogan is certainly no answer, but awareness campaigns need to be wider spread to help our youngsters cope and thrive. I hope that everyone involved in social groups of all kinds will help spread the word that bullying is wrong and that differences among people should be appreciated (or at the very least tolerated) -- noncriminal differences of course.

 

[bicker]

I think the key is to realize that the problem is not a problem with children or with schools, but rather recognize that bullying is just a reflection of a national malady, a problem with our society's values whereby people have the idea that their way is the only acceptable way and that all other ways should be persecuted. A major step in addressing bullying in schools is to address intolerance and other forms of lack of acceptance of the perspectives of others throughout our society.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I still think about the increase of kids being online more often contributing to the problem. Kids' social skills are still developing, and it can't help to be in an online environment where you can't immediately/physically see the impact that being rude/mean really is on another person -- then that behavior carries over into their "real," in-person attitude/treatment of others.

And of course, it's not just kids. Sometimes adults (who "should know better") are awfully rough on others online, too. And "snark," a thinly veiled meanness, is the trend online, as well.

As to your immediate question, OP, I'd think helping build a child's self-esteem (not falsely, either, through empty praise but truly building it) and helping them see past the immediate hurt of bullying could help. It's definitely not easy, and it stinks kids are in these positions.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think the key is to realize that the problem is not a problem with children or with schools, but rather recognize that bullying is just a reflection of a national malady, a problem with our society's values whereby people have the idea that their way is the only acceptable way and that all other ways should be persecuted. A major step in addressing bullying in schools is to address intolerance and other forms of lack of acceptance of the perspectives of others throughout our society.

Interesting observation with some truth to it I am sure. How often do we see on here people posting about making a fuss at a hotel or restaurant to get what they want (room requests, seating without a reservation and a myriad of other things) and this is encouraged by other posters as often as not--but at the end of the day all the kids who witness it are simply learning that in our society "bullying" people into doing what you want works and putting yourself and your wants ahead of others is okay.
Add to that a plethora of TV shows that claim to be reality and invade the "personal" lives of participants and show ganging up on wherever you want to vote off, etc as somehow acceptable and normal (none of is this my original thinking--other posters brought it up on a recent thread) and I do think you see a societal trend which is much bigger than just school policies, etc. It is going to be HARD work to fix this thing but i hope we do.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

I think the key is to realize that the problem is not a problem with children or with schools, but rather recognize that bullying is just a reflection of a national malady, a problem with our society's values whereby people have the idea that their way is the only acceptable way and that all other ways should be persecuted. A major step in addressing bullying in schools is to address intolerance and other forms of lack of acceptance of the perspectives of others throughout our society.

You said it!