I used to think the “bullying” problem in schools was often overblown by the media.
Seems I’m wrong.
Two 11-year-old boys in the States took their own lives this month. Both deaths blamed on school bullying.
And in the U.K. …
British diver Tom Daley, who at age 14 finished seventh in the men’s individual 10-meter platform final at last summer’s Beijing Olympics, has been temporarily removed from school after being repeatedly bullied by his classmates, according to a story published Friday in the British newspaper The Guardian.
Tom Daley is still 14; he turns 15 on May 21. In the meantime, his father, Rob Daley, told the newspaper the son had been kept at home this week so as to reduce distraction in advance of an upcoming meet in Florida.
“The bullying is severe,†the father said. “He has been tackled to the floor walking through the school field and in class they throw pens and pencils at him.
“Some of them have even threatened to break his legs. That was the last straw. It has got to the point where enough is enough.†…
Sounds like Tom will move to a private school.
related post – 14yr-old diver to compete at Olympics
9 comments ↓
That’s cause the Brits have lost all common sense. Take the bullies and paddle them. Corporal punishment is allowed in the US.
The epidemic of bullying says a great deal about the people who raise these children. Our society in general has lost a sense of perspective and thus control. Let’s start raising our own kids again, not expecting day care centers to do it, and let’s regain some common sense. I am afraid for the future.
And as for Apolytongp – will you ever submit an intelligent post?
I have some news for you. Bullying existed long before day care.
It’s a big problem in Japan, a society which has one of the lowest female labor force participation of the industrialized nations. The extreme emphasis on conformity in that society probably has something to do with it.
However tragic, 2 deaths in a country of almost 300 million people is no epidemic.
Apolyton GP will never submit an intelligent post. That would be boring, anyway. He should start his own blog.
I’ve never believed the bullying problem in schools was overblown by the media. There have been a number of “bullycides” that have convinced me something needs to be done. Corinne Wilson was the first victim I heard of.
Dear Oh No,
Thank you for your news.
Of course bullying existed before Day Care, and the realities of Japan are very different than the realities in the USA and Canada. I have lived in each of these countries by the way.
My use of the word epidemic was perhaps ill chosen and thus not read for the real intention – that there is an enormous problem, not only with bullying, but with behaviour in general. Manners, morals and politeness are rare commodities.
But I am not interested to get into a match of words here on this blog. Again, thanks for your news.
Well it wouldn’t be as big of a problem if school were allowed to punish kids these days.
And it would be even less of a problem if parents paid attention to their kids and raised them.
And even LESS if some people never bred at all – let’s face it, a LOT of people out there have no business trying to raise a child!
Dana, you have presented no evidence that your statements are anything other than your opinion, which you are entitled to. I just don’t happen to agree with that opinion.
Until someone presents some data demonstrating that bullying has actually gotten more prevalent over time rather than simply more publicized, I’m not going to believe there has been a real increase in bullying.
Bullying isn’t releated to kids. Adults do it as well. It’s just more subtle. I’ve been bullied both as a kid (horribbly too, so much I hated school) and as an adult.
The problem is the way parents raise their child. They teach children that if somebody doesn’t act just like them that they’re not normal or if something is not just like them that they’re not normal.
My intention was to present my opinion, not present scientific, researched facts and evidence. I am not asking you to believe nor agree, Oh No.
Thankyou Katrina, I agree with your opinion whole heartedly.
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