A lot of attention has been given to the subject of bullying lately. Some subjects, such as minority group rights, have taken decades or hundreds of years to come to the public’s attention. Bullying is one such topic. It’s something that has always existed, so why change it, some say.
It’s been 11 years since the Columbine High School massacre (04/20/1999), and that event is considered by many to be the starting point for the discussion, but ever since human beings began congregating in groups, there have been societal rules that have included bullying as a way to classify the social hierarchy. The question is how to deal with a problem that can isolate people for no or insignificant reasons.
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, at least half of all children are bullied during their years of schooling, and ten percent are regular victims. The bullies and their victims ultimately end up in the world with a high school diploma in their hands and minds altered by the experience. Adult bullies often start out as child bullies. Adult victims can easily become prey for dating and spousal abusers. Both have trouble keeping jobs and relationships stable. In short, nobody wins.
Nobody seems to know how to handle bullies or their victims. They both need healing, but in different ways. Until somebody addresses the roots of the problem, it will continue.
So will this blog topic.
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