Bullying a problem not confined to age
While Cherokee County has been spared from some of the violent behavior found in most big cities, one thing it hasn’t been a stranger to is bullying. We most often think of this type behavior in teens. However, bullying can occur in kindergarten and well into adulthood. Just this past week, I have listened to the parent of a kindergarten student and the parent of a high school student tell me about their children and the bullying they are living with.
One can only imagine that bullying has been going on since the beginning of time. This in no way makes it acceptable. It never has been and never will be. During my school years and even into adulthood, I never got picked on too much. It wasn’t that I was some kind of tough guy. I just didn’t have the intelligence or mental fortitude to walk away from a fight. There is no doubt I’m my father’s son. And although I didn’t always realize it, I’m proud to be like him. He stood for something and backed down from nothing. He made many mistakes. But, he was always man enough to own them.
It’s hard to imagine a kindergartener wreaking havoc on other children in the classroom. Yet, it happens. In the case shared with me, it occurs on a regular basis to the point it makes a 5-year-old not want to go to school. This behavior, even at the age of 5, is unacceptable. Common sense should tell us that if the behavior continues, it will only get worse as the child ages. If the behavior is learned at home, then the problem is at least partially societal.
In the case of the high school student, it isn’t the typical student-on-student bullying that was shared with me. This situation involves a student athlete being pushed beyond their capability to handle it emotionally. While realizing that athletics has become more than just a game in today’s world, it is still just a game. I can’t think of a bigger sports nut than me. Often I am glued to the television watching everything from high school, to college to professional sports. Despite this, it’s still just a game.
Sports can build character and teach teamwork. Coaches have a tough job teach- ing skills to children while also helping them to develop into productive young adults. We have some who are very good at it. Like all businesses, there are some that could use some re-training or find a new profession. Building character is much more important than building championships. It’s easier actually. For every child who grows up to be a professional athlete, there are a zillion who will never make it. But character, it’s a life trait that can be used to succeed in any profession or life in general.
Coaches like Will Heath, Ronnie Smith, Danny Cronic, Ron Ely, Larry Prather and others will go down in history as men that changed the lives of children. They built young men and women out of kids. Sometimes they won. Sometimes they lost. Regardless of the outcome, the well-being of the each individual child came before anything else. Any coach that can’t grasp this idea might be in the wrong profession.
So, from kindergarten to high school to adulthood, there are bullies. Most of them are cowards with low self-esteem. Every one of them need a kick in the pants. Metaphorically of course. I wouldn’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers with my analogy. I’m not clueless. I know we live in a world where we feel the need to explain our request to our children rather than just barking orders. If my Daddy wanted my opinion, he gave it to me.
Even though I never considered myself a victim to bullies, I certainly was no stranger to that kind of behavior. There were several throughout my school days. Even in adulthood, I’ve seen a few. Looking at the outcome of the childhood bullies I knew, most haven’t exactly excelled as adults. Without being an expert, it stands to reason that bullying doesn’t lead to success. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Oftentimes, bullying leads to suicide. When it happens, everyone jumps on board crying for ending this behavior. After a while, the crying ends and we forget. Except of course, the families of the victim. They wake up the rest of their lives wishing it was a nightmare.