Bulliers gonna bully...

Now, I am not trying to downplay tragedy, but why are there suddenly so many suicides from bullying? When I was younger, let's be honest: I was an overweight, socially awkward bookworm with bad hygiene. And I was bullied. Often. Lots of people I know were bullied. And yet, when I was a kid I never heard of anyone committing suicide because of bullying. Hell, it was even a part of who knows how many older movies and TV shows. People knew about it, they experienced it, they got over it, life went on. I mean, what happened here?

And personally, I think that the extreme measures being enacted now to try to stop bullying are likely to do as much harm as good. I was always taught that when it happens, either ignore them or stand up to them. Kick 'em in the nuts if you have to. It's what I always planned to teach any kids I had, the ability and willingness to defend themselves, along with the restraint to not injure. We were taught it was character-building. Personally, I think it strengthened us, prepared us for hardships later in life. Instead, now, the kids are coddled at best. Quite frankly, I don't think bullying will be stamped out entirely any more than I think war will. Some things are just part of some people's natures, and some people are just shits.

I support movements like the “It Gets Better Project”, etc. Things that help teach kids that these people won't always be around, and that there is a future. But let's be honest, bullying still exists when you hit adulthood. Employers will sometimes bully employees, threatening jobs. Sports fans bully rivals. Neighbors can bully neighbors. I was taught to stand up to them, stand up for myself and what I want. A more beneficial move might be to take the bullying victims and try to teach them martial arts or something of that nature. Most of these new policies and rules, though, seem like they're more likely to convince the kids that nothing like this will ever occur elsewhere, and even if it does, well...there's no need to be able to stand on your own and protect yourself, because someone else will do it for you.