When Your Teen is Bullied: How to Tell and What to Do (continued)

When was this article written?

This article was published 7/18/2008

Unless & until it is well-known that bullies "put-you-down" because they enjoy a temporary sense of supremecy, bullying will continue---because, that which is 'rewarded' gets done; and that behavior which isn't commensurately punished to fully dissuade unwanted behavior continues.  Tell the kids that get bullied to have a cellphone with picture capability & sound recording.  A small digital recorder, for near-immediate recording of the bully's voices, as well as your child's repeating immediately just what has transpired will help.  Record the verbal abuse, record the visual abuse, confrontation is the only thing that slows-down a bully.  Hidden hallway cameras of sufficient capability to zoom-in, record visually & audibly the sound---and sufficient punishment to the bully--will be the only way to re-shape the more ideal environment for children to grow within, and do better in school.  (Bullies often can't do well due to greater difficulties in absorbing the typical educational system's teachers, etc.)  People forget we're still animals (not ephemeral ideals, or ivory-tower-pronouncements), and some enjoy more animalistic behavior than others.  Parents! protect your child, teach them to fight back, metaphorically or in more physical ways.  Some "animals" can't be "reasoned-with", hence more offensive & defensive actions are necessary.  Talk with your child, yes, get them to open up.  But! The bully has to be stopped.