I was at work the other day, and I had overheard a conversation between a kid and his grandma it seemed like, or maybe an aunt. Point is, it was someone who didn't look like his mother. Anyhow, I was listening intently because I'm just that type of person to be nosy. The kid, who was probably 10-years-old or so, was explaining to their elder that one kid kept calling him names like piglet or making noises at him that resembled a pig. He then said how much he wanted to say something back, but something "good inside of him" decided to not say anything and turn the other cheek, which obviously left him distraught. This actually made me laugh like crazy but got me pissed off more than anything.
Why did it piss me off? Well, I feel the whole bullying subject is bologna if you ask me. Plain and simple. Bullying to me is a ridiculous thing we try to campaign to get rid of, when in my opinion bullying never goes away. Sure, children shouldn't "bully" each other or mistreat each other; however, big business' can bully other companies out of any location or even out of business. How is that not the same thing? Business is a lot of work and a little bit of bullying, or as we commonly know it as, competition. It bothers me how people don't teach their children how to combat bullying. How did we let this B.S. subject blow up so much? It seems with the increase in technology we spend less time with the kids and have a tablet or cell phone parent for you. I believe the absence of care from parents cause kids to bully. At least that's a reason among other things.
I don't get it. As a child, I never had an issue with bullies. I was a "victim" of bullying, but no bully took advantage of me or have I gotten into a fight. I was practically inadvertently taught how to combat bullies and their pathetic tactics to make someone react in a way that they wish. Racist comments were probably the most used type of crap they would say to me. Never did I moan or anything about someone picking on me when I got to that kid's age. It was more like I was the bully by that time. I bullied the bullies, only when they bully me or someone I knew. I made friends with the whole idea of bullying. I laughed at the subject matter then, and I laugh at it now.
I'm 20 years old, and I bully everyone I know. What we consider bullying nowadays I should have been grounded, suspended, beheaded or whatever by now. I bully my girlfriend, I call her names, push her around, etc. I "bully" my mom, push her around, I bother her time and time again, but everyone I know around me knows how to combat that. I don't understand at what point did we become such a weak generation. Bullying and cyber-bullying are such a sad subject.
Am I being insensitive about how bullying affects people differently? Of course, but it's a ridiculous thing that we allow later in life through business, but chant or prance around to make that go away in the early years. Bullying will stay forever. Sad to say, but people will always make fun, judge, etc, because they can. It's an easy way to make you feel either powerful or just in control for the moment. Take it from a bully. I've never gotten in trouble, the effort is futile truly. How about teaching the kids ways to combat it, rather than support the weak nature that has started with this upcoming generation.
Those who know me, and who are a victim of my "bullying" know just how playful I am with my name calling or just anything in general. I have no desire to want to throw anyone's feelings down and keep it there unless of course you deserve it in some way. It's just really funny. Just another reason bullying won't go anywhere. Laughter is hard to beat.