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OpinionWill a policy put an end to bullying?When does it begin? Bullying. When a toddler learns he or she can hold the upper hand by overpowering another tot in day care? When a kindergartner hears mom or dad talk about another person in a derogatory manner? When a kid in grade school repeats mean rumors and soon begins to confront the child about whom the rumors are spread? Is it all kid play until junior high when pre-teens become more cognizant of ìdifferencesî and start to use them against each other? Can we chalk it up to teenage hormones when the ìinî kids put down the ones not ìin?î When does it stop? Although weíd like to believe people grow out of bullying, we know they donít. Case in point: road rage. I know now that it was nothing I did or said, it wasnít the way I dressed or the way I talked. It did have something to do with my fatherís occupation compared to that of the girl who tried to put me in my place. It was something a parent should easily have been able to smooth over and something a school should not have tolerated. But the fact is, neither my parents nor my school knew of it, so it went unresolved. I also know now, and have for many, many years, that things young people say against each other are often because of personal insecurities. Iíd like to believe that people are not innately mean enough to enjoy hurting people, but it seems some do. How can we stop bullying when there are people of all ages who think it is socially acceptable? I donít have the answer, but I hope that the policy being considered in the Rush City schools is a good first step. People, starting at a young age, need to know that it is not an acceptable behavior and that there will be consequences. Of course, the death penalty hasnít deterred some people from committing murder. Will a policy put an end to bullying or is it a responsibility of each and every one of us? ©ECM Post Review |