No More Bullying! Are Our Schools Equipped To Address This Issue?
"Mommy, the kids in my class and on my bus say they think I am a girl and ask if I am gay." I've had enough! Too many times has my son come to me with a down-cast look, his shoulders slumped and near tears after hearing an onslaught of taunts from his peers throughout the day. The definitions of bullying range from "abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable" to "unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance...the behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time." Harassment is defined as "causing the person alarm or distress." Teasing is defined as "to laugh at and criticize someone in a way that is either friendly and playful or cruel and unkind." Either of these definitions can apply to what my son is experiencing and I want it to stop. I don't think our schools are equipped to handle this issue. At least not the school where o...