Bullying is a HUGE topic of debate in many states, but recently Arizona lawmakers are taking aim at it. There are a few bills being introduced, some targeting cyberbullying and some putting more responsibility on schools.
What do you think should be done? Is it a shared responsibility? Should it be a joint decision between lawmakers, school officials, police, and parents? I think it should be, aren't they all involved in the students' lives? Discipline should start at home, but we all know it continues at school. We need to empower our schools and officials to make tough decisions, but ones that would protect our children.
I remember being bullied in HS, and honestly for no reason at all. I didn't pick fights, I didn't antagonize them...Maybe it was because I was Caucasian (the bullier was non-Caucasian). Regardless of the reason, I didn't feel comfortable "getting her in trouble" but what was I supposed to do? Take the bullying? Just live with it? It's part of everyday life, right, children growing up....it's a lesson to learn?
No child should have to deal with being bullied, regardless of the reason. More and more kids are committing suicide because it is the only way they feel they can "escape it". Should we provide more counseling and other services to children, their parents, their teachers? I think we can all be better trained to "see the warning signs" and offer a helping hand when children may not think there is one available.
