Bullying Is Bad But There Is Something Worse

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/bully_b_1382354.html

By no means in this going to be a post about supporting of bullying so do not get your hopes up.  Bullying is a terrible problem in this country, but there is something worse than bullying that is plaguing our schools. It is the efforts to stop bullying.  Foundations, blogs, experts, curriculum, and now a movie has been made about bullying but I think to a good extent they are missing the point.  All the focus has been placed on how to stop bullying, but there needs to be more effort made in a different direction.  That direction is those who experience bullying, and not just to pat them on the head while saying "We're sorry"

Much of the problem with programs that focus on bullying is that they focus on healing, and prevention.  These efforts are not wasted, but they need the support of programs that teach children to be resolute in themselves.  Resilience is not a character trait long forgotten in schools today.  Children are being taught to tell teachers, principals and whomever will listen about bullying, what to do when they see bullying, and even how to dissipate bullying situation.  What they do not get is an education on how to survive bullying. 

So many of the suicides caused by bullying have steamed from the thought that there was no hope or future.  This is simply wrong, and children need to be taught.  They need to know that after school, those who bullied in school are more apt to make it nowhere in life.  They will never make it in the real world, and if they do they will be hated by everyone around them. 

Bullying is not going to end, this is a sad fact, but how we react to if can.  Kids need to learn to be tough, and understand that those who bully will one day get their.  Our children are not learning the important skills of resilience at a time when such skills are vital.  We need to keep up out effort to end bullying, but we need to redouble our efforts to create well rounded children who are capable to bouncing back from challenging events.