Re: 1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead by own hand

October 9, 2010

I'm sure this is very common all around the country. Nothing has been said about it at all, at least not in a serious matter. However, since that guy college guy killed himself, now they're trying to make it a national crisis. Granted it is, but I don't like the way it has been politicized. A crackdown on bullies is long overdue, just this political spin is uncalled for.

In a message dated 10/9/2010 12:58:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead by own hand

October 9, 2010

I'm sure this is very common all around the country. Nothing has been said about it at all, at least not in a serious matter. However, since that guy college guy killed himself, now they're trying to make it a national crisis. Granted it is, but I don't like the way it has been politicized. A crackdown on bullies is long overdue, just this political spin is uncalled for.

In a message dated 10/9/2010 12:58:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead by own hand

October 9, 2010

I'm thinking that bullying like this happens in schools because the teachers and

administrators themselves hold prejudices toward their own students. If they see

some kid getting picked on, they probably think to themselves that all the kid

needs to do to quit getting picked on is to " step in line and march with the

others. "

The problem with that is it negates differences that cannot be helped. Or, in

some cases, kids simply do not want to change changeable things, and unless

those changeable things go against preestablished district policy, then the

students ought to be able to do what they want.

Administrator

I'm sure this is very common all around the country. Nothing has been said about

it at all, at least not in a serious matter. However, since that guy college guy

killed himself, now they're trying to make it a national crisis. Granted it is,

but I don't like the way it has been politicized. A crackdown on bullies is long

overdue, just this political spin is uncalled for.

In a message dated 10/9/2010 12:58:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

no_reply writes:

1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead by own hand

October 9, 2010

You have a point about the teachers. As for the students, I'll disagree with you a little. If a student wants to dress far outside the norm, they can, but they should expect to get treated differently. I'm not saying they deserve to be abused, but a few comments and giggles should be expected. That could all be solved simply by having a dress code or better still, uniforms. I don't mean military uniforms, just something simple like white shirt, navy blue pants and decent shoes. No button, no tags, a watch, a bracelet, one set of ear rings (small stud type and not danglies), and regulations for haircuts. That's not a lot to abide by and it will cut down on things kids have to pick on each other about. Every school I ever attended before college had uniforms and it was never an issue because you could wear whatever you wanted after school, parents permitting of course. Even the public schools here have had uniforms for several years. Not sure it has done anything for academics (which is due to the teachers) but it has cut down on trouble in the schools a bit.

Other differences, like physical appearance, build, disability can't be helped and bullying on those counts should be taken more seriously.

In a message dated 10/9/2010 1:51:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

I'm thinking that bullying like this happens in schools because the teachers and administrators themselves hold prejudices toward their own students. If they see some kid getting picked on, they probably think to themselves that all the kid needs to do to quit getting picked on is to "step in line and march with the others."The problem with that is it negates differences that cannot be helped. Or, in some cases, kids simply do not want to change changeable things, and unless those changeable things go against preestablished district policy, then the students ought to be able to do what they want. Administrator

October 10, 2010

...I'm going to respectfully disagree with you here (not about the idea

of uniforms, which is great) but about deciding which differences can and can't

be helped. As a lesbian mother of a young adult with Apergers, I feel somewhat

qualified to make these statements. I sat at a town meeting just days ago

(following the death of Tyler Clementi) and listened to teens bullied due to

gender identify, sexual orientation, ethnicity and disability. The teasing and

impact was the same: All teens were mercilessly teased for " acting different "

(being more effeminate or masculine than strict gender roles dictate, not making

eye contact, having a monotone voice, learning differently, enjoying music

instead of sports, dating someone of the " wrong " gender per society norms, etc.)

The taunts and physical acts of violence did not differ, and all teens had

moments (or prolonged periods) of suicidality, regardless of how they dressed.

Certain things are intrinsic to one's being. While I know some may disagree,

sexual/affectional preference can no more be changed than Aspergers.... PLEASE

don't make the mistake of saying that some people " should expect giggles and

comments " while other bullying 'should be taken more seriously. " The fact is

that most people who abuse, bully or discriminate against others target multiple

minorities...and work hard to turn these minorities against each other. I am

working hard to end ALL bullying; children's lives are at stake....Please join

me in that battle.

>

> You have a point about the teachers. As for the students, I'll disagree

> with you a little. If a student wants to dress far outside the norm, they can,

> but they should expect to get treated differently. I'm not saying they

> deserve to be abused, but a few comments and giggles should be expected. That

> could all be solved simply by having a dress code or better still,

> uniforms. I don't mean military uniforms, just something simple like white

shirt,

> navy blue pants and decent shoes. No button, no tags, a watch, a bracelet,

> one set of ear rings (small stud type and not danglies), and regulations for

> haircuts. That's not a lot to abide by and it will cut down on things kids

> have to pick on each other about. Every school I ever attended before

> college had uniforms and it was never an issue because you could wear

whatever

> you wanted after school, parents permitting of course. Even the public

> schools here have had uniforms for several years. Not sure it has done

anything

> for academics (which is due to the teachers) but it has cut down on

> trouble in the schools a bit.

>

> Other differences, like physical appearance, build, disability can't be

> helped and bullying on those counts should be taken more seriously.

>

> In a message dated 10/9/2010 1:51:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> no_reply writes:

>

> I'm thinking that bullying like this happens in schools because the

> teachers and administrators themselves hold prejudices toward their own

students.

> If they see some kid getting picked on, they probably think to themselves

> that all the kid needs to do to quit getting picked on is to " step in line

> and march with the others. "

>

> The problem with that is it negates differences that cannot be helped. Or,

> in some cases, kids simply do not want to change changeable things, and

> unless those changeable things go against preestablished district policy,

> then the students ought to be able to do what they want.

>

> Administrator

>

October 10, 2010