OK…in my first year at secondary school…i got bullied somewhat but i felt it taught me a few things…it made me somewhat stronger…it builds pride…you end up taking a lot less ****…and in my eyes makes you a much stronger person…
Im not going to lie…i made fun of people at school and college…its something you do when you are young…but its something i feel is neccesary for someone to go through…because childhood is all about preparing yourself for adulthood…and whilst we make a big hoo ha about bullying kids…the fact is that bullying happens in the workplace…in relationships etc later on in life…
Do guppies not feel that bullying is useful character building as it makes you stronger and better equipped to deal with the world around you?..a neccesary evil…or do you all feel it is something better left avoided?..
Good point. But I guess we should strive for a society in which people don't bully each other. I can't advocate bullying for character buliding. But I agree that facing adversity can toughen us up. If you take the example of military, the superiors are allowed to physically 'punish' new recruits within certain parameters. The idea is to train them physically and mentally for an environment where they can face the hard life without breaking down. But we can't condone bullying behavior in civil society because it can do more harm then good. :)
By the way, a lot depends on what you call bullying. In some cases it can be harmless while in other cases it can be potentially damaging.
You know what builds character? Having the strength to treat everyone with respect and compassion. Being able to have control over emotions and showing grace and dignity in the tough times. Sure the world is a tough place and you have to have a hard shell sometimes to survive. But that doesn't come from experiencing bullying. That's like saying that kids who are regularly smacked around by their dad grow to be confident and strong people. In actuality many of these kids are broken inside with a lack of confidence and great insecurities. Bullying is a way of masking inferiority. Trying to PROVE how tough you are only shows how afraid you are inside. This is the "Dr.Phil" diagnosis. I'll send the bill.
When I was in gr.7 there was a girl named Karen in my class. she was a little odd, kinda nerdy and didn't socialize well. She got picked on for no reason and one day a group of boys decided to kick her a**. they cornered her at recess and proceeded to shove her despite her "Hey, hey, stop that you ninny." That only made them laugh more. So some mysterious force pushed me into the middle of the action and I parted the Red Sea of students surrounding the scene. (the teachers must have been drinking coffee.) So anyways I felt bad for her cause she was slow. she didnt deserve that and no..it would not build any character in her. It would totally make her even more of an outcast.
So one guy in particular was really bent on getting her and when I stepped in he tried to give me some Hell too. But somehow they saw I wasn't afraid. I started laughing off some stuff and treating them like they were my little brothers. They backed off and for the rest of the year those boys gave me some stares. One day the guy I called "Bubba" out of anger happened to have his hands full with a science project and couldn't open the door himself. Since I was walking in as he was walking out...I held the door for him. He said, Thanks and was totally confused. He had this puzzled look on his face, it was funny.
Bullying should definately be avoided, i mean ur not going to teach ur own children to “go bully that kid, ur actually gona help him” are you? It’s the parents responsiblity (as well as teachers and other role models) to respect all kinds of people. Kids at primary school level can be cruel and most of the time they don’t know the harm they are doing, so we shud show them rite from wrong early on. I was bullied in secondary school too, and it wasn’t fun but i did get over it and yeah maybe im stronger but that doesn’t justify the bullying…that’s just me, some people are affected more deeply and left scarred with insecurities for their whole life. But i do believe it’s the bullies that are the most insecure.
you all make good points...i suppose there is a limit to what someone can take...and certain people dont bounce back well after bullying...
Its just iv seen many turn out just fine...and stronger out of it...and not naive when they come into the big bad world...
They know how to deal with bullys...a relative of mine generally cant cope at work cos she doesnt know how to deal with horrible people...sometimes bad things are good experience...
If everything is life was good you wouldnt know how to deal with the bad...so bad things from my experience are good learning and prepare you for adult life...
Bullying is something which happens in all facets of life...from family...work colleagues etc so isnt it best to epxerience these things young so you know how to deal with them later?...
That’s true…but if u’ve had bad experiences then okay u can learn from them…but i can’t say i hope my lil bro will be bullied (he’s 12) just so he can become stronger cos i’m sure he will experience other things that mite hurt him but that will make him stronger in the long run…