As coverage on local and national news alike would suggest, it would seem that the subject of bulling is finally being taken seriously in our country, which I can only take as a positive development. Amongst all the talk about concerned school administrators on the one hand and indifferent ones on the other, one impression of the phenomena that I have long noted has, as far as I can tell, not been discussed at all.
That is, in short, the idea that "bullies" are in many cases not the enemies of the school administration but, in fact, its tools. When I was in high school, at least half of the bullies were varsity athletes, "good kids" that got a pass from teachers/administrators/coaches. A number of the very worst bullies were also the kids of teachers or school employees, and, even when their parents were explicitly told what their kids were doing, they did nothing to intervene. Bullying occurred not at the hands of kids who had been abused themselves, etc. (it is too nice to think that they might have been), but rather by kids who were being give a pass on their behavior.
These bullies were fully aligned with the power structure and harassed and menaced others in proportion to the extent that they were outsiders. Some of them clearly even saw themselves as little policemen, trying to stamp out disorder in the society in which they were favored. The more people were like everyone else, the less likely they were to be bullied themselves. One of the more popular songs was Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," and kids sang the lyrics to it knowing exactly what they meant ... but they were damn sure to sing them when, where, and how they were supposed to.
So, bullying probably brings to mind different images to most of us -- but I would suggest that in some cases it should bring to mind the idea of the order, conformity, and homogeneity it is meant to encourage.
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Having attended HS at least for awhile with Mike I did not see the "bullies" as tools of the administration, but there certainly was a significant amount of willful ignorance.
ReplyDeleteBullying is often continues into adulthood, one name for it is lateral violence in the workplace. I agree with Mike, if those in charge don't speak up to stop bullying they are just as guilty as the perpetrators. As as a result of their inaction are promoting bullying.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot on of the reasons it happens is because it's so damn fun! Being able to pick one someone, especially someone not in a herd and a bit sickly, and not get in trouble for it (besides a verbal slap on the wrist) is one of the highlights of bullies whom oft times are beaten on themselves by a higher, stronger, authority. The fact that it continues into adulthood is obvious, just watch some of the "intellectual talk shows" of Fox and Fox News.
ReplyDeleteI was an off and on victim of bullying throughout my school life, but I either ignored (worked rarely, but after an unfullfilling beat down they usually give up), tattled as fast and as loud as I could (worked many times) or I fought back and made as big a scene verbally and physically as I could (worked most times as it embarressed the hell out of someone that thought they could get away with a little quiet machoismo and I would be to timid to do anything about it) Now whenever I encounter it in adult life I usually ignore it or report it, the system can be alot more effective against adults if you know who to talk to and how to word your complaint. Of course assholes still get away with a lot of shit....
or Bill Maher
ReplyDeleteor what NPR did to Juan Williams
ReplyDelete