Bullying: A Lifelong Epidemic

Source

When people think of bullies, an image of a middle school boy with a gang of followers come to mind. Similar to the scene in the 1983 film, A Christmas Story. The 1940s reflection of an American boy's dream of owning a Red Ryder BB gun as the perfect Christmas gift, depicts what many believe bullies act like. Ralphie, his brother, and friends were always on the look out and running away from Scut Farkus, with "his yellow eyes and signature coonskin cap", with Grover Dill in tow. Laughing, teasing, taunting, throwing snowballs, and making them say "uncle" to stop being punched. This film had a redeeming moment when Ralphie could no longer take abuse and turned the tables on Scut. But not every bullying situation resolves with the bully being defeated. 

Bullying is an all to common behavior in youth, but unfortunately it does not end when students cross the high school graduation stage. Bullying rears its ugly head in college class rooms when one student degrades, smirks and laughs a fellow classmate's opinion or answer to a question. It shows up in office settings when one co-worker repeatedly and persistently humiliates another in a power struggle for career advancement. It is present at the negotiation table with world leaders throughout the world. 

Bullying generally starts in the home, when a parent or family exerts their authority or gets what they want out of children by threats and violent intimidation. Comments such as "Shut up before I slap you", "You're so stupid" or "You'll never been good enough". Children learn behaviors by example and experience, therefore bullying in the home sets them on a damaged road into adulthood. Bullying creates a negative outlook on life. It leads to depression, helplessness, damaged self-esteem, and threat of emotional and physical health.  

Bullying touches every geographic location and demographics across the board, from age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, social, and economic standing. What would happen if a brave soul saw someone being bullied would step up, and speak out against the bully? What if someone offered a comforting word, showed a small act of kindness or became a friend to the victim? What if we said "ENOUGH"?

Tell us what your thoughts on bullying are.