Bullying is always going to be one of those issues that always sticks close to my heart. Sometimes people are overly sensitive about it and label harmless "picking" as bullying. But it's easier for it to escalate than it did when we were all kids, too, so I suppose that over-reaction can be justified.
I was pushed around a lot as a kid. I was always small for my age, both short and thin. I was an easy target because I didn't have the strength to retaliate. Adults always mistook me for being 2-3 years behind my actual age. For reference, I was 4'11" in my Freshman year of high school, and was 90-95 lbs.
Everything I had to deal with had a huge impact on the way I turned out, both good and bad. On the upside, I feel like it built a bit of character. I learned how to treat people by facing the exact opposite on a daily basis for years. And I eventually learned how to stand up for myself, both physically and verbally. And I wasn't treated nearly as badly as a lot of other people, despite being the primary target of a lot of those people.
The downside was that I isolated myself from a lot of events, activities, and people. I still get anxiety being in large groups of people, I assume because it reminds me of the social groups I had to deal with when I was younger. I spent a lot of my later youth and early adulthood extremely angry and depressed without even realizing it, and I'm still emotionally "behind" regular people that are my age a lot of the time. I have a natural "leader" ability, but I've shied away from it and feel that a lot of it was held back by being held down (not literally) as a kid. I know I'm capable of it (how else would I end up in management), but I'm often reluctant to step up because that fear of being laughed at or humiliated is still there, somewhere, in the back of my head.
I handled it a lot better than most, and sometimes it's hard to NOT have the mentality of, "Well, I managed. So can you." But I also realize I had a lot more support than most. I had parents who tried to make it clear that I wasn't the one doing anything wrong. I had a dad who knew exactly what I was dealing with, and encouraged me to stand up for myself. He didn't want me to fight, only to defend myself. Even my teachers. In 8th grade, I finally had enough of one guy after he kicked a chair into the side of my leg. I turned around and punched him. The vice principal of the school was happy to find out what I'd done, and my English teacher told me she was proud of me.
I just hope I get the chance to help someone with my experience sometime. More kids need to know they can turn out just fine in the end. Because I did. Sometimes I'm just plain awesome, and they will be too.
The number of kids who were bullied when they were younger is surprising, and thanks to the internet, it's gotten that much more potent. We're in a new day and age where students aren't just picked on at school, but thanks to text messaging and facebook, bullies can find them 24/7. Already there's at least 1 publicized suicide due to what's called "cyber bullying". It's really very sad.
At the moment, we're trying to find ways to reduce bullying, but even as teachers, there's only so much we can do. But they're already bringing bullying into the curriculum and making it something that many students must learn about and understand why it's important to end it.
We'll probably never see a true end to bullying, but if we take steps in the right direction, we might be able to prevent some things from happening in the future. No one should go through life feeling apprehensive thanks to their past (god knows I'm right there with you; I'm more suspicious of people than the average person, I found out rather recently) or feel worthless because of it.
Yeah, in regards to the texting, cyber-bullying, etc. is why I mentioned:
Quote:
But it's easier for it to escalate than it did when we were all kids, too, so I suppose that over-reaction can be justified.
If those people had been able to (metaphorically) follow me home from school on a daily basis like they can do now, I'm sure I would have been a much bigger emotional wreck than I already turned out to be.
I think it's good that teachers and schools are getting involved. I'm not sure it's ever been suggested, and the thought just now came to me, but even bringing in parents of kids, who are willing to talk about being bullied themselves, might have an even bigger impact on those kids.
My biggest fear for my son is that he'll have to go through it, too. Especially being a "special" (or whatever they call them now) kid. I'd feel awful knowing he was going through it. But luckily, he has that "natural-born leader" quality about him, too, so I hope that sticks and he can lead a happy childhood.
You tried to warn her the other night, but it fell on deaf (and infected!) ears. :/
There was a song/lyrics I wanted to send to my girlfriend, to get her opinion on them. I've been meaning to do it for like a week. Now I forget what song it was. ; ;
Bullying is always going to be one of those issues that always sticks close to my heart. Sometimes people are overly sensitive about it and label harmless "picking" as bullying. But it's easier for it to escalate than it did when we were all kids, too, so I suppose that over-reaction can be justified.
I was pushed around a lot as a kid. I was always small for my age, both short and thin. I was an easy target because I didn't have the strength to retaliate. Adults always mistook me for being 2-3 years behind my actual age. For reference, I was 4'11" in my Freshman year of high school, and was 90-95 lbs.
Everything I had to deal with had a huge impact on the way I turned out, both good and bad. On the upside, I feel like it built a bit of character. I learned how to treat people by facing the exact opposite on a daily basis for years. And I eventually learned how to stand up for myself, both physically and verbally. And I wasn't treated nearly as badly as a lot of other people, despite being the primary target of a lot of those people.
The downside was that I isolated myself from a lot of events, activities, and people. I still get anxiety being in large groups of people, I assume because it reminds me of the social groups I had to deal with when I was younger. I spent a lot of my later youth and early adulthood extremely angry and depressed without even realizing it, and I'm still emotionally "behind" regular people that are my age a lot of the time. I have a natural "leader" ability, but I've shied away from it and feel that a lot of it was held back by being held down (not literally) as a kid. I know I'm capable of it (how else would I end up in management), but I'm often reluctant to step up because that fear of being laughed at or humiliated is still there, somewhere, in the back of my head.
I handled it a lot better than most, and sometimes it's hard to NOT have the mentality of, "Well, I managed. So can you." But I also realize I had a lot more support than most. I had parents who tried to make it clear that I wasn't the one doing anything wrong. I had a dad who knew exactly what I was dealing with, and encouraged me to stand up for myself. He didn't want me to fight, only to defend myself. Even my teachers. In 8th grade, I finally had enough of one guy after he kicked a chair into the side of my leg. I turned around and punched him. The vice principal of the school was happy to find out what I'd done, and my English teacher told me she was proud of me.
I just hope I get the chance to help someone with my experience sometime. More kids need to know they can turn out just fine in the end. Because I did. Sometimes I'm just plain awesome, and they will be too.
The number of kids who were bullied when they were younger is surprising, and thanks to the internet, it's gotten that much more potent. We're in a new day and age where students aren't just picked on at school, but thanks to text messaging and facebook, bullies can find them 24/7. Already there's at least 1 publicized suicide due to what's called "cyber bullying". It's really very sad.
At the moment, we're trying to find ways to reduce bullying, but even as teachers, there's only so much we can do. But they're already bringing bullying into the curriculum and making it something that many students must learn about and understand why it's important to end it.
We'll probably never see a true end to bullying, but if we take steps in the right direction, we might be able to prevent some things from happening in the future. No one should go through life feeling apprehensive thanks to their past (god knows I'm right there with you; I'm more suspicious of people than the average person, I found out rather recently) or feel worthless because of it.
Yeah, in regards to the texting, cyber-bullying, etc. is why I mentioned:
Quote:
But it's easier for it to escalate than it did when we were all kids, too, so I suppose that over-reaction can be justified.
If those people had been able to (metaphorically) follow me home from school on a daily basis like they can do now, I'm sure I would have been a much bigger emotional wreck than I already turned out to be.
I think it's good that teachers and schools are getting involved. I'm not sure it's ever been suggested, and the thought just now came to me, but even bringing in parents of kids, who are willing to talk about being bullied themselves, might have an even bigger impact on those kids.
My biggest fear for my son is that he'll have to go through it, too. Especially being a "special" (or whatever they call them now) kid. I'd feel awful knowing he was going through it. But luckily, he has that "natural-born leader" quality about him, too, so I hope that sticks and he can lead a happy childhood.
Luckily, things are changing, not just for the worse. Kids are becoming more aware of the situation, and that includes special needs children as well. Kids are beginning to stand up for what's right and face these bullies head-on. I've seen a few videos (none that come to mind) where kids are defending those who are being picked on. It might have something to do with the new bullying awareness in the curriculum.
Honestly though, you should get it out of your system now as well as everyone else your age. When you turn 21, alcohol... loses its appeal. So enjoy it while you can.
Bullying is always going to be one of those issues that always sticks close to my heart. Sometimes people are overly sensitive about it and label harmless "picking" as bullying. But it's easier for it to escalate than it did when we were all kids, too, so I suppose that over-reaction can be justified.
I was pushed around a lot as a kid. I was always small for my age, both short and thin. I was an easy target because I didn't have the strength to retaliate. Adults always mistook me for being 2-3 years behind my actual age. For reference, I was 4'11" in my Freshman year of high school, and was 90-95 lbs.
Everything I had to deal with had a huge impact on the way I turned out, both good and bad. On the upside, I feel like it built a bit of character. I learned how to treat people by facing the exact opposite on a daily basis for years. And I eventually learned how to stand up for myself, both physically and verbally. And I wasn't treated nearly as badly as a lot of other people, despite being the primary target of a lot of those people.
The downside was that I isolated myself from a lot of events, activities, and people. I still get anxiety being in large groups of people, I assume because it reminds me of the social groups I had to deal with when I was younger. I spent a lot of my later youth and early adulthood extremely angry and depressed without even realizing it, and I'm still emotionally "behind" regular people that are my age a lot of the time. I have a natural "leader" ability, but I've shied away from it and feel that a lot of it was held back by being held down (not literally) as a kid. I know I'm capable of it (how else would I end up in management), but I'm often reluctant to step up because that fear of being laughed at or humiliated is still there, somewhere, in the back of my head.
I handled it a lot better than most, and sometimes it's hard to NOT have the mentality of, "Well, I managed. So can you." But I also realize I had a lot more support than most. I had parents who tried to make it clear that I wasn't the one doing anything wrong. I had a dad who knew exactly what I was dealing with, and encouraged me to stand up for myself. He didn't want me to fight, only to defend myself. Even my teachers. In 8th grade, I finally had enough of one guy after he kicked a chair into the side of my leg. I turned around and punched him. The vice principal of the school was happy to find out what I'd done, and my English teacher told me she was proud of me.
I just hope I get the chance to help someone with my experience sometime. More kids need to know they can turn out just fine in the end. Because I did. Sometimes I'm just plain awesome, and they will be too.
The number of kids who were bullied when they were younger is surprising, and thanks to the internet, it's gotten that much more potent. We're in a new day and age where students aren't just picked on at school, but thanks to text messaging and facebook, bullies can find them 24/7. Already there's at least 1 publicized suicide due to what's called "cyber bullying". It's really very sad.
At the moment, we're trying to find ways to reduce bullying, but even as teachers, there's only so much we can do. But they're already bringing bullying into the curriculum and making it something that many students must learn about and understand why it's important to end it.
We'll probably never see a true end to bullying, but if we take steps in the right direction, we might be able to prevent some things from happening in the future. No one should go through life feeling apprehensive thanks to their past (god knows I'm right there with you; I'm more suspicious of people than the average person, I found out rather recently) or feel worthless because of it.
Yeah, in regards to the texting, cyber-bullying, etc. is why I mentioned:
Quote:
But it's easier for it to escalate than it did when we were all kids, too, so I suppose that over-reaction can be justified.
If those people had been able to (metaphorically) follow me home from school on a daily basis like they can do now, I'm sure I would have been a much bigger emotional wreck than I already turned out to be.
I think it's good that teachers and schools are getting involved. I'm not sure it's ever been suggested, and the thought just now came to me, but even bringing in parents of kids, who are willing to talk about being bullied themselves, might have an even bigger impact on those kids.
My biggest fear for my son is that he'll have to go through it, too. Especially being a "special" (or whatever they call them now) kid. I'd feel awful knowing he was going through it. But luckily, he has that "natural-born leader" quality about him, too, so I hope that sticks and he can lead a happy childhood.
Luckily, things are changing, not just for the worse. Kids are becoming more aware of the situation, and that includes special needs children as well. Kids are beginning to stand up for what's right and face these bullies head-on. I've seen a few videos (none that come to mind) where kids are defending those who are being picked on. It might have something to do with the new bullying awareness in the curriculum.
Honestly though, you should get it out of your system now as well as everyone else your age. When you turn 21, alcohol... loses its appeal. So enjoy it while you can.
Luckily, things are changing, not just for the worse. Kids are becoming more aware of the situation, and that includes special needs children as well. Kids are beginning to stand up for what's right and face these bullies head-on. I've seen a few videos (none that come to mind) where kids are defending those who are being picked on. It might have something to do with the new bullying awareness in the curriculum.
Yeah, I've heard of a number of various stories like that. It's a positive spin on a negative aspect of our society. It's a good thing to hear about.
Honestly though, you should get it out of your system now as well as everyone else your age. When you turn 21, alcohol... loses its appeal. So enjoy it while you can.
Honestly though, you should get it out of your system now as well as everyone else your age. When you turn 21, alcohol... loses its appeal. So enjoy it while you can.
True story.
:/
It's not half as fun now.
The sneaking around is over. Now it's just something to make your brain go numb for a couple hours.
Honestly though, you should get it out of your system now as well as everyone else your age. When you turn 21, alcohol... loses its appeal. So enjoy it while you can.
True story.
:/
It's not half as fun now.
The sneaking around is over. Now it's just something to make your brain go numb for a couple hours.
It's just a temporary getaway from the monotony that is everyday adult life like working to pay bills. then you realize how much you're spending to not think about money and it becomes a paradox.
This is a thread that I found on another website I post at. It can be really really interesting. I thought it deserved a place here.
Post your random thoughts for the day here, or anything else that intrigues you.
For starters, is it possible to give constructive critism to someone who doesn't have a neck? I totally just walked by a girl who didn't. Someone isn't getting a necklace for Valentines day!
And who decided black and white can't be colors? I want to say a racist. I really do.
