In all our research on bullying, we have read so many horrific stories. It blows my mind that this type of abuse occurs in schools every day. The physical violence, the harassment, the emotional torture...all happening in school hallways, playgrounds, and classrooms. But what blows my mind even more, is that it seems in those instances when students finally get up the courage to report the bullying, it's often downplayed, overlooked, and swept under the rug. This attitude towards bullying victims seems to start at the top, with our government and law makers, and trickle down to local police, teachers, and parents.
For example, recently an anti-bullying bill was put before the Michigan State Senate. The bill was intended to protect bullying victims under law (which in my opinion is like, duh. Why wouldn't they be? But anyway...) At the last moment, some individual we'll refer to as a SUPER SWEET GUY suggested modifying the bill to protect anyone who bullies for religious or moral beliefs from being persecuted. Now, the bill was passed without that modification (THANK GOD), but it still brings up some very good issues. First of all, what kind of person thinks it's okay to bully someone, or abuse them, because they live a lifestyle that you don't morally agree with (i.e. they happen to be gay)? These are LAW-MAKERS suggesting this...government! This isn't some back-woods, third-grade educated hillbilly. This is somebody in the senate. And it wasn't just the person who suggested it that seemed to think it was a good idea---people backed him up!
Second issue: Why are we just now creating these bills? Yes, I agree that in recent times bullying has become a bigger issue. But it was happening 15 years ago when I was in high school and teachers looked the other way. Why do we need special laws that allow us to punish kids, teens, and adults who bully? It should be a no-brainer. It is the job of adults and law-makers in this country to protect children. I assumed they were a protected class. Why is taking so long to protect them? When a child in a home is being abused, we pull them out. These days a parent can't even spank a child without fearing that social services is going to take their child away from them. But when a student is being viciously attacked to the point where they fear returning to school to get the education they need and deserve, the adults who know about it often do nothing. When we handle bullying that way, we send a message to kids that it's okay to bully. I mean, if it were wrong, they would be punished right?
I. Just. Don't. Get. It.
P.S. Here's the links to a petition & some articles about this Michigan State law.
http://www.change.org/petitions/help-michigan-students-stop-the-license-to-bully-bill
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/michigan-senate-approves-_n_1119438.html
http://detnews.com/article/20111128/SCHOOLS/111280351/Anti-bully-bill-debate-heats-up-in-Michigan-legislature
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/11/michigan-senate-passes-anti-bullying-bill-without-religious-exemptions/
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