Even with all the talk and all the media attention of the anti-bullying campaign it still seems to be a huge problem on the Big Island. When a bullying situation occurs in school, families are quick to take to social media to share the experience.
Many of the people that respond to posts about bullying encourage retaliation in some form or another. Some say it’s a result of bad parenting while others are frustrated with school faculty and staff.
So, what’s the deal? Why is it still such a problem?
As a father of a middle schooler and a high schooler, I asked them what they thought about the whole bullying situation and asked them if they’ve ever experienced it.
My middle schooler quickly responded by saying, “Oh yeah, dad, all the time. Whenever we see bullying, we’re supposed to tell an adult but most of the time the teachers don’t even care.”
I was shocked, “What do you mean they don’t care?”
“Yeah they say stuff like, ‘Oh, she didn’t mean it’ or they just make the two kids say sorry to each other and then they just let it go. Then outside of class they just keep bullying the kid.”
Still in disbelief, I looked at her sister as she chimed right in.
“Yeah that’s pretty much what happens. It’s like not a big deal to some of the teachers. They’re like, ‘ah just say sorry.’”
At first, I was blown away and kinda pissed at the school staff but then when I really thought about it, I had to ask myself.
Is the staff being properly trained to deal with bullying? Many teachers aren’t well equipped physically or emotionally to deal with violence. So, if they’re not trained, how can they be effective in dealing with it.
I mean absolutely no offense, but have you seen some of the teachers? Some are small in stature and very mild mannered.
So where do we go from here?
We can leave it at the foot of the parents and in some cases, that would be true but that won’t solve all the problems of bullying, especially if the child IS having problems at home.
I’m seeing it more and more in my social media feed. How do we improve it? What do you think is the best way to deal with it?
Sound off in the comments section.
