Can The Media Address Bullying Differently?
by The media often teaches people how to raise their kids not to be victims, what about raising them not to be bullies?
Teachers, and the school system are often held to blame, but the only contributing factor is that they place large number of kids together, making bullying easier. I can attest that bullying does happen out of school, on playgrounds, at parties, in homes, even small groups of friends might have a member of their group that they bully on occasion, as was my experience. In fact I do not remember as much bullying happening to myself on school grounds as it did elsewhere. I cannot say for sure if the teachers were even aware that I was a victim, or who were the bullies. Some of the things that I endured where hideous. As a girl most of it was demoralizing humiliation, as opposed to physical violence that boys often endure.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trixer/3531445744/
The picture is clearly staged, the bully would usually have more kids on his side than the victims.
I do believe more attention needs to be focused on the bullies, and directed at parents. I suspect many parents would rather have kids who are bullies rather than victims, we place so much emphasis on being winners, don’t we? I think most parents would rather have their kids make fun of others, than be the one being made fun of, after all, isn’t that the example we set? As long as their child is not the one who goes too far, but let us remind ourselves of the Columbine shooting, in which the victims took steps to fight back.
Bully proofing a child should also mean not raising a kid to be a bully. The media could do a better job of informing people on how not to raise a bully.
By the time most parents read this it will be too late, their children will have already been raised to fill one role, either they have been taught by example it is okay to make fun of others, or it is not. Or through examples of violence (verbal or physical) in our own homes we have set the path for our kids. Changing the next generation will be difficult too, since as parents we often pass our role onto our children.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointshoot/2500644518/
Will this sign help? It is nice to think it will, but all the signs in the world will not help.
Bullies outnumber victims. They get more people on their side because followers do not want to be the next target. If fewer people supported the bully it would be too intimidating for him, or her, to target others, but that person would still have unresolved issues. Again, we need to address the issue of how these angry children are being created and raised.
But, if we truly want bullying to stop, it is time we started addressing the bullies. It’s time we started looking at our own actions on a daily basis. Also stop kidding yourself that every one grows up fine. They don’t. I hope the media will take this seriously and start addressing issues from the other side, rather than just making it the victims fault.
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Post Commentken bultman
On August 23, 2009 at 6:11 am
Well written, well thought out article–on target. Forget the media on this issue. They will do whatever they perceive will make them first and most popular.
Lostash
On August 23, 2009 at 6:17 am
Your totally right B!!! Everyone is so concerned about the victims (of course) that they fail to look at the root cause. Schools can only do so much, because the bulk of it happens outside the school yard! I’m not sure what the solution is to be honest, because like you say, it appears that human nature certainly plays a part in it.
Ramalingam
On August 23, 2009 at 7:12 am
Thanks for sharing an analytical article on bullying.A unknown subject to me.
Theresa Johnson
On August 23, 2009 at 8:27 am
very good piece b. very informative
Diverseblogger
On August 23, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Very good article! Yes they can and should!!!
Jean Anne
On August 23, 2009 at 4:12 pm
If more people would teach their children to be acceptable of others despite their differences the world could be a beautiful place.
martie
On August 23, 2009 at 4:12 pm
One of the problems with bullying is that when one kid is a bully others will go along with him to avoid being a victim. I think as parents we need to teach our children not to bully, and how to protect themselves from bullies.
I also think we need to teach our children who are neither a bully or a victim to speak out in some way against the bullying.
It is a problem that needs to be dealt with on all three fronts.
PR Mace
On August 23, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Thought provoking article. I think the media should try to do more the stop bullying but I don’t think they will. To many in the media use bullying to get what they want so why stop it.
Daisy Peasblossom
On August 23, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I think a good place to start would be to stop allowing bad behavior to receive the spotlight. Wouldn’t it be nice if newspapers could feature children who pick up trash, are helpful to others, or are busy creating something beautiful?