The topic of bullying certainly can bring up some painful memories for some of us I'm sure! As I was doing some research for our presentations, I noticed a lot of literature, studies and outrage on bullying in the schools. What amazes me is the international experience in bullying that seems to happen cross culturally. Some of the studies I glanced at were from Norway, The Netherlands, Britian, Uganda, Egypt and many, many more. A true universal concept!
I recall the story of Cain and Able in the Old Testament-was God a bully in the sense he ignored Cain and favored Able? Oh boy...now a biblical case for the ultimate bully!? What got me thinking along these lines were the definitions I found on bullying -ignoring others, dismissing the feelings of others, spreading rumors about others not to mentin the physical act of hitting, punching and kicking.
Is murder the ultimate form of bullying, or people being driven to commit suicide?
What I realize now, there can be no "cure" for bullying unless I set the example toothers in everything I do. My actions are most likely going to be what helps a bully to look at his/her actions and decide for him/herself if they want what I have. It doesn't cost me a thing!!
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it is interesting to know of bullying as a cross cultural action. In my opinion most bullying falls with in the realm of "normal development". I'd say a good portion of the population takes part in or is victim of bullying in some form depending on the definition one is following.
ReplyDelete"In a recent study, 77% of the students said they had been bullied. And 14% of those who were bullied said they experienced severe (bad) reactions to the abuse." http://bullyingstatistics.blogspot.com/
I have always thought that bullying starts with children not having a good understanding of empathy. Children seek out peer groups and want to fit in, but don't seem to understand the feelings of others. If the peer group one is running with choses to bully others, it seems to easy for children to go along with it. I also wonder what kind of behavior is being modeled at home with children who feel it is okay to bully. Bullying can leave lasting marks on children and if not stopped, can translate to bullies at work and in the home. I again think it starts with children being able to understand how hurting someone feels and not wanting someone to hurt that way.
ReplyDeleteWell put. There is no cure-all for bullying, but setting a good example can go a long way. It reminds me of movie "Pay it Forward." Kindness can be contagious.
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