With all the attention bullying seems to be having today I felt I needed to write an article on the topic from the viewpoint of a school psychologist.
Bullying has been around as long as kids have been around.
However, so have many other criminal acts.
Bullying seems to have gone to new levels lately or is it just becoming more recognized and acknowledged? Who knows? That would make a good doctoral dissertation for someone in the future.
Especially someone who has been bullied about early in life.
It seems as though everyone has been bullied at some point in their life.
There are many different forms of bullying but what bullying really is is intimidation.
Intimidating co-workers or neighbors is not tolerated in society.
I often wonder why it should be tolerated anywhere else.
The fact of the matter is that bullying appears to be seen as a unfortunate experience many must go through on their way to adulthood at which time this behavior seemingly goes away.
The pain a bully inflicts doesn't go away and the behavior that bully exhibits usually doesn't go away either once they hit the age of 18.
It is good to see that this topic is becoming more recognized but it is most unfortunate it has had to come to the recent tragedies in the U.
S.
to bring light to the suffering of those being bullied.
In many ways the current political culture and lack of respect to others seems to be fueling these types of behaviors.
Whatever the case, it is important for kids and teens out there to get help if they are being bullied.
The best place to go is to your parents.
Impress upon them what you are going through.
Many times parents are wrapped up in their day to day worries and don't realize how much their child maybe suffering even when is right before their eyes.
Be sure to tell your parents what is going on.
Once this is done it is helpful for the parents to request a meeting with school officials in writing and to have the meeting either recorded or documented.
Don't leave the meeting without a plan for action and another meeting date scheduled that will hold professionals accountable for their part in the action plan that was developed during the subsequent meetings.
Many times other view points will be brought up in these meetings.
They may even accuse you or your child of instigating the bullying or "asking for it" in some way.
If this does happen be sure to have those in the meeting write this down and sign their name to it.
Blaming the one being bullied is akin to blaming the victim for walking home late at night or wearing inappropriate clothing.
This is not acceptable in our society and should not be tolerated in any place, most of all educational settings, where open mindedness and the rights of others are held in the highest regard.
If you don't have a parent to turn to for help go to your favorite teacher or counselor at school.
Someone you can trust and you feel will stand up for your rights.
Above all else, do not just believe there is no way out for you.
There is.
Take action by asking for help but be sure to let that person know how much help you really need.
Many times we ask for help but in a very shy or passive way.
Be sure to ask for help like you mean it and don't let that person you trust go without knowing how serious the pain is and how badly you need them to help.
Be strong and don't give up on yourself.
Things have to get better even when they are seemingly lost.
Never, ever, ever, give up.
Bullying has been around as long as kids have been around.
However, so have many other criminal acts.
Bullying seems to have gone to new levels lately or is it just becoming more recognized and acknowledged? Who knows? That would make a good doctoral dissertation for someone in the future.
Especially someone who has been bullied about early in life.
It seems as though everyone has been bullied at some point in their life.
There are many different forms of bullying but what bullying really is is intimidation.
Intimidating co-workers or neighbors is not tolerated in society.
I often wonder why it should be tolerated anywhere else.
The fact of the matter is that bullying appears to be seen as a unfortunate experience many must go through on their way to adulthood at which time this behavior seemingly goes away.
The pain a bully inflicts doesn't go away and the behavior that bully exhibits usually doesn't go away either once they hit the age of 18.
It is good to see that this topic is becoming more recognized but it is most unfortunate it has had to come to the recent tragedies in the U.
S.
to bring light to the suffering of those being bullied.
In many ways the current political culture and lack of respect to others seems to be fueling these types of behaviors.
Whatever the case, it is important for kids and teens out there to get help if they are being bullied.
The best place to go is to your parents.
Impress upon them what you are going through.
Many times parents are wrapped up in their day to day worries and don't realize how much their child maybe suffering even when is right before their eyes.
Be sure to tell your parents what is going on.
Once this is done it is helpful for the parents to request a meeting with school officials in writing and to have the meeting either recorded or documented.
Don't leave the meeting without a plan for action and another meeting date scheduled that will hold professionals accountable for their part in the action plan that was developed during the subsequent meetings.
Many times other view points will be brought up in these meetings.
They may even accuse you or your child of instigating the bullying or "asking for it" in some way.
If this does happen be sure to have those in the meeting write this down and sign their name to it.
Blaming the one being bullied is akin to blaming the victim for walking home late at night or wearing inappropriate clothing.
This is not acceptable in our society and should not be tolerated in any place, most of all educational settings, where open mindedness and the rights of others are held in the highest regard.
If you don't have a parent to turn to for help go to your favorite teacher or counselor at school.
Someone you can trust and you feel will stand up for your rights.
Above all else, do not just believe there is no way out for you.
There is.
Take action by asking for help but be sure to let that person know how much help you really need.
Many times we ask for help but in a very shy or passive way.
Be sure to ask for help like you mean it and don't let that person you trust go without knowing how serious the pain is and how badly you need them to help.
Be strong and don't give up on yourself.
Things have to get better even when they are seemingly lost.
Never, ever, ever, give up.