Welcome to "Alphabe-Thursday", a weekly writing assignment sponsored by Headmistress, Jenny Matlock from Off On My Tangent! Each Thursday, we take on subsequent letters of the alphabet and produce either prose, pictures or just plain pleasantness about a topic that begins with that letter. This week's letter is not "P", but "T."
In case you haven't noticed, every month seems to host a new champion for various causes, all, of which I believe are important, but maybe not all are important to all people. Case in point: last month, September, was devoted to Child Cancer Awareness, among other important causes. Childhood Cancer has brought me in touch with many courageous and inspiring people whom I may not have otherwise met had I not been made aware through my blogging. This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a cause which hits close to home for me, and I pray for and support all of those who have been affected. October is also National Bullying Prevention month with activities and fundraisers throughout the month to promote the awareness and the urgency of change. Click here for more information.
The job I left behind was one at a middle school that offers much needed help to those who have been bullied. It's no longer acceptable behavior, and offenders are dealt with swiftly and efficiently. I think this is a good first step. I believe we have to take a step back, however, and look at why the kids partake in this destructive behavior. What is going on at home, with friends, and at the homes of those friends, etc.? I grew up in a home with bullying behavior. I attended school with bullies. Back then (when dinos roamed) it was "just a part" of growing up and I had "better get used to it!" To fight back meant possible ostracism. To dish it back out meant that I was as low as those who initiated it. I've witnessed in occurring in my family today.
We have a chance to break the cycle. We can start right now with our own kids and other members of our families. Stand up for yourself, and teach your children to do the same. Once our children see us stand up, they will follow. Their examples will rub off on their peers and spread like wildfires!
Adults need to tell other adults that they won't be treated in a bullying manner. Sometimes, people don't realize they are bullying. They've been doing it so long that it has become a part of their personality and because others have accepted it, there's no reason to change. Don't accept bullying! If you are a bully, and you want to change, there is help out there for you. Find that help now.
If you know of anyone, adult or child, who has been hurt by bullies, please offer them a kind word of support. Try a little tenderness, and watch how wounds can be healed. That tenderness, too, can spread like wildfires!
Thanks for stopping by my soapbox today! Please click on Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday logo below to enjoy some of the "T" assignments of my classmates!
13 comments:
I think the problem has gotten worse over the last few years as levels of civility keep dropping...
I very much enjoyed your post today. I really haven't been participating in Alpha-Thursday over the past several months. Things have really changed since I went to school and bullying is NOT acceptable. Parents do need to teach their children how to stand up for themselves.
Great post. I was bullied in junior high and high school, but not nearly to the extent that it has grown with Facebook, Twitter, etc. that can ruin someone's reputation with one post. I'm glad to hear that what was once meant to "build character" is no longer tolerated in schools anymore. All bullying does is make someone feel inadequate and, although life does get better, it does affect the target's life forever. Peace!
Very informative post and so important ~ this world needs some gentle lovin ~ (A Creative Harbor)
Fantastic post! While I did not experience bullying first hand, I agree that there is no excuse for it and the starting point for any change at all is yourself. The adult.
Saying 'hello' via Alphabe- Thursday - mine for letter 'T' @ ImagesByCW is about the Ticino / Valle Verzasca
I role play with my grandkids and students and prepare them for how to handle the what ifs.
I never thought bullying was acceptable behavior before so I guess that meant we actually have grown up a little as human beings. I'm still wondering why it took this long for any real progress but I suppose this is better than no progress.
thanks for sharing this. I do wish people would be kinder but it's the way the world is.
hope you have a great day.
Great thoughts and advice on a serious problem. With your experience at a middle school you have seen the problem up very close. It is so good that the schools are no longer tolerating bullying.
Liz, Dick Rink and I are writing a book about children who are different and suffer for it. Did you see the report by an overweight television anchor who got an unacceptable letter from a viewer? Parents need to THINK about the examples they are setting for their children.
I'm often horrified by new reports and occasional personal exposure to bad behavior, especially by parents to their children. How can a parent expect a child to be respectful to them if they don't model respect to the child?
Our society has gotten so sideways on so many things. Bullying has always existed but it seems there are so many new ways in which to carry it out that it has become like a plague. I hate to hear about children being bullied.
This is a subject close to my heart. My twins have Asperger Syndrome and are gullible and naive. I have been trying to teach them how to carry themselves, be assertive without being aggressive, and how to trust the inner voice which tells them something is not okay.
It breaks my heart to see how bad the bullying problem has become. Students even bully the adults now. :*(
This was a terrifically thoughtful post.
Instant media seems to deprive our society of much more than it gives us.
I am horrified and saddened by bullies.
I wish there was an answer to this epidemic.
Thank you for linking.
A+
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