She obviously knows little or nothing about bullies. Unless you retaliate in kind they do not stop unless arrested or kicked out of school. Bloody a bully’s nose for him and you’ll often find a coward wearing the mask of a bully.
once when I was in school someone jumped me from behind. I thought he wanted a ride so I spun around and around and around till he screamed for me to stop. Didn’t occur to me till later he was trying to attack me. I was just having fun. :)
Amazingly enough, there are other ways to respond to bullies. The first thing, is to change the attitude of adults into thinking there’s nothing wrong with bullying (It’s not “hijinks”). Kids pick up on those attitudes. Second, make it clear that it is not bad to go to the authorities (teacher). Nothing wimpy about it at all. Just using the right channels. When my house was robbed, I called the police – they caught the guy within days.
I like today’s strip; it shows that you can’t just fix this problem with what you think is thoughtful sage verbal advice.
When I was being bullied in junior high, I often heard “just ignore them, they’ll stop” from my parents, teachers and the school councelor. I really don’t know where they got that idiotic advice, except I think that they really didn’t know how to handle it either, and it was the easiest thing to say to me. Yep, it’s real easy to ignore them while you’re being tripped, shoved, spit on, books knocked onto the floor with papers flying everywhere, etc. Great advice from clueless adults. It made me feel even more alone.
Well said Kroykali. Nothing like a sucker punch to a sensitive area and then when they are down, don’t stop hitting until someone pulls you off. Example, Ralphie on “The Christmas Story”.
She obviously has no idea how to handle bullies. There is no one size fits all solution to stop them. Bullies come in different forms, single and in groups, physical, mental, emotional. They bully for different reasons so different solutions need to be applied as well. Ignoring and doing nothing does not stop them. standing up to them can often make it worse. The helplessness and isolation a victim feels keeps them from reaching out for help. And sometimes the help seems worse than enduring the bullying.
I find her advice to be a good first step. Stand up for yourself without resorting to violence first. If that doesn’t work though, then more extreme measures may be necessary. Including violence. For some that is the only way they are going to learn.
My now 20 something daughter told me recently that she had been bullied in school. Why she didn’t say anything at the time puzzles me. I would have gone to the teacher and principal about and demand something be done and if it continued demand the name of the student and his/her parents. There would have been a meeting to get it resolved. None of this ignoring it till it stopped nonsense.
“My now 20 something daughter told me recently that she had been bullied in school. Why she didn’t say anything at the time puzzles me.”
From someone who’s been there, I can tell you why. She was scared to death that telling someone would make things worse. And it may have for her. The teacher or principal would have had a talk with the bully, the bully would promise to stop, the teacher/principal would be satisfied they’ve done their job, then the bully, armed with the knowledge that they’re succeeding to make life miserable for your daughter, would double the attacks on her. I held off for a LONG time telling my parents, and when I did, I’m actually glad they didn’t go to the school about it. Most of that school admin were old farts who wouldn’t have had any clue whatsoever about what to do, and would only have made my situation much worse if they had tried. And don’t forget the bully’s parents. They’re usually the CAUSE of the bully’s behavior.
hawgowar almost 12 years ago
She obviously knows little or nothing about bullies. Unless you retaliate in kind they do not stop unless arrested or kicked out of school. Bloody a bully’s nose for him and you’ll often find a coward wearing the mask of a bully.
spamster almost 12 years ago
once when I was in school someone jumped me from behind. I thought he wanted a ride so I spun around and around and around till he screamed for me to stop. Didn’t occur to me till later he was trying to attack me. I was just having fun. :)
cameron.hall almost 12 years ago
the stupidest advice i have ever heard. what a wuss
cdward almost 12 years ago
Amazingly enough, there are other ways to respond to bullies. The first thing, is to change the attitude of adults into thinking there’s nothing wrong with bullying (It’s not “hijinks”). Kids pick up on those attitudes. Second, make it clear that it is not bad to go to the authorities (teacher). Nothing wimpy about it at all. Just using the right channels. When my house was robbed, I called the police – they caught the guy within days.
Kroykali almost 12 years ago
I like today’s strip; it shows that you can’t just fix this problem with what you think is thoughtful sage verbal advice.
When I was being bullied in junior high, I often heard “just ignore them, they’ll stop” from my parents, teachers and the school councelor. I really don’t know where they got that idiotic advice, except I think that they really didn’t know how to handle it either, and it was the easiest thing to say to me. Yep, it’s real easy to ignore them while you’re being tripped, shoved, spit on, books knocked onto the floor with papers flying everywhere, etc. Great advice from clueless adults. It made me feel even more alone.
BeniHanna6 Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Well said Kroykali. Nothing like a sucker punch to a sensitive area and then when they are down, don’t stop hitting until someone pulls you off. Example, Ralphie on “The Christmas Story”.
Thehag almost 12 years ago
She obviously has no idea how to handle bullies. There is no one size fits all solution to stop them. Bullies come in different forms, single and in groups, physical, mental, emotional. They bully for different reasons so different solutions need to be applied as well. Ignoring and doing nothing does not stop them. standing up to them can often make it worse. The helplessness and isolation a victim feels keeps them from reaching out for help. And sometimes the help seems worse than enduring the bullying.
Jnite almost 12 years ago
I find her advice to be a good first step. Stand up for yourself without resorting to violence first. If that doesn’t work though, then more extreme measures may be necessary. Including violence. For some that is the only way they are going to learn.
Comic Minister Premium Member almost 12 years ago
I guess he’s not getting it Jan.
cbrsarah almost 12 years ago
My now 20 something daughter told me recently that she had been bullied in school. Why she didn’t say anything at the time puzzles me. I would have gone to the teacher and principal about and demand something be done and if it continued demand the name of the student and his/her parents. There would have been a meeting to get it resolved. None of this ignoring it till it stopped nonsense.
Spiff103 almost 12 years ago
exactly! how do you stand up for yourself without resorting to violence? Be cocky and insolent? that would get you beaten up even more!
Kroykali almost 12 years ago
“My now 20 something daughter told me recently that she had been bullied in school. Why she didn’t say anything at the time puzzles me.”
From someone who’s been there, I can tell you why. She was scared to death that telling someone would make things worse. And it may have for her. The teacher or principal would have had a talk with the bully, the bully would promise to stop, the teacher/principal would be satisfied they’ve done their job, then the bully, armed with the knowledge that they’re succeeding to make life miserable for your daughter, would double the attacks on her. I held off for a LONG time telling my parents, and when I did, I’m actually glad they didn’t go to the school about it. Most of that school admin were old farts who wouldn’t have had any clue whatsoever about what to do, and would only have made my situation much worse if they had tried. And don’t forget the bully’s parents. They’re usually the CAUSE of the bully’s behavior.
kate Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Grown ups give the stupidest advice. Standing up to a bully when you’re smaller than him is the best way to get punched again.