Editorial: Sticks, stones and bullies

Talk about it

Growing up you had to watch out for who was sitting in the back of the bus on the way to school. Those seats were reserved for the tough guys.

And if you were among the — let’s say larger — kids or maybe those who had a problem with too many pimples, going to school likely caused anxiety on occasion.

Why? Because kids pick on kids. Recently, this has gotten a lot of attention and there is a feverish anti-bullying movement.

Where do we draw the line with “bullying?” When does it stop being simple teasing and turn into this word that brings visions of dangerous, rotten, brut monsters.

This is an issue that starts in the home. And yes, the schools also have a responsibility.

Parents need to teach their children not to push and shove and to “do unto others.” But they also must let them know there are some children out there who, for some reasons that may not be known, can’t avoid being the bad guy.

And teachers must also know they can’t turn a blind eye.

Most schools have policies in place regarding bullying and teachers and principals have the responsibility to follow these.

However, teachers, in some cases, aren’t always given the tools, or the options, to pick up the pieces for parents who may not be showing their children the righteous path.

Policies are no good unless they are enforced and are the schools’ enforceable?

There was a time when teachers had paddles to control the kids and could use stern words that hurt. We are not suggesting teachers dust off the paddles but parents must understand a teacher can only do so much.

Only 10 years ago, kids were told to stand with their noses against the chalkboard as punishment. Today, too strict of a tongue lashing could leave an educator with more than that — it could leave them without a job.

Discipline has become a very sensitive realm and often becomes muddied over with consistent worry of being politically correct.

Schools have bullying policies in place and parents are saying they’re not good enough. When is it good enough?

Of course we should treat people how we want to be treated. But despite everyone’s best efforts there will always be unpleasant people and parents teaching their kids how to deal with them is necessary.

But maybe bullying isn’t always a bad thing. There is teasing that will make a person stronger and mold a child into what they are in years to come. Here again, there is a line that must be drawn.

With an oil boom bringing in hundreds of out-of-staters consistently, southwest North Dakota is seeing a lot of fresh faces, which means new students at the schools. These children have plenty to adjust to without worrying about bullies stealing their lunch money or worse.

We don’t tolerate it in adult life — “bully” someone in the office and you are terminated. “Bully” someone on the street and you’re going to jail.

It should not be tolerated elsewhere but it’s a fact of life that there will always be bullies.

The Editorial Board meets weekly to discuss issues of importance to the community.

Tags: opinion, editorials