[casdegere]

I'm not going to get all into this "Gandhi" discussion as I believe it to be completely unrelated as are the remarks about World War II to assist in explaining grade school bullying. These things are completely unrelated and the reasons are many.

What is related is that what is being suggested is that today's kids do not always have the "tools" to deal with bullying. It is true that I believe children in general are being coddled WAY to much. I am a parent and I have gone to Parent/Teacher conferences where parents are defending their child's poor performance. Not stupid children, lazy, uninterested children. Children with a deep sense of entitlement. Those that get rewarded for doing nothing on a regular basis, including failure. Likewise there are also, uninterested teachers and faculty. Those that are approached by a child who claims to have been hit or knocked down and simply berate the child for "taddling" or starting trouble. I grew up in an inner city school and I was not a fighter. I was however...a runner. When I was faced with this kind of thing and I could run...I did. When I couldn't I either took the bullying and in one instance, I bull-rushed one of the bullies, knocking him down, stepped on him and made a quick get-a-way. Its very rarely 1 on 1 where leverage to bully is weakest.

Not once did I feel like taking a knife or a gun to these bullies afterward. Though such a thing today is being considered in the minds of our youths faced with such difficulties. It is here, this place inside a child's head where the problem is. No patience, no confidence, no communication skills. Apathy to others facing similar problems. A mental disconnect with their environment with a strong desire for the suffering to end and turning to another to end it for them. Or internalize it until they lash out in some overt, violent manner compounded by their anger that the issue isn't being handled for them.

Now however, there is also virtual bullying where the solution can be complex. Litigation or violence? Some people do not respond to threats of action. I should say...some people's parents. That's because the damaged child's parents call up their lawyer before they head over to speak to the parents where in most cases, threats or action are not required.

As a parent the first thing I would do is take my daughters computer and phone away. Give her access on the families computer, restricting access to facebook etc. and issue her a pay as you go phone for the time being. Contact the school and schedule a meeting and bring evidence. (Pictures, statements, whatever) And have a sit down. In most cases however, it takes two to tango though the highlighted cases on the news would have you believe otherwise. These things however, take time and effort, something my child is most definitely worth.

These are actions of responsible parents, not contacting the news, glorifying the incident, ignoring your child's troubles or committing violent acts against someone.