Seminar 8 - Nov. 23, 2009

I see bullying as one of the biggest issues of our school system nowadays. The number of things that are associated with bullying, being from peer pressure to violence and even suicide, it is disheartening that schools aren't taking it so seriously. I speak from personal experience.

As a child coming from Montreal in grade 3 to elementary school in Toronto, I most definitely did not fit in. I did try my best, but the atmospheres of the two schools were so very different that I had a very difficult time adjusting. The kids in my grade did not seem to make it any easier for me. I was the 'new kid' around and being very shy, a perfect target for bullies. As I can recall, there were only a couple of serious instances of physical bullying, most was of the relational bullying that we spoke of in this week's class. I can attest only anecdotally that my experience of relational bullying most definitely was as bad as the physical, corroborating the article's findings. On my parents request, I went and visited the principal of the school to discuss the issue. I went both because I had an issue and because I truly wanted to stop all the unnecessary torment that so many of my classmates were also enduring on a daily basis.

I recall the day vividly when I went to the principal's office. I remember her saying "We have no bullying in this school". At that age, I really didn't know what to say. I was lucky because I had one great friend and a really great family that I relied on immensely. In retrospect, I admit that I very upset by the ignorance of the school's administration. To this day I still recall all the names, faces and even some of the insults that the bullies in my school used. I am happy to hear from this week's articles that the issue is being brought into the forefront and that things are being done to avoid the cruelty that comes with bullying. In watching my nieces and nephews grow up I will try and do my best to give them the tools to be strong and not allow themselves to be affected by bullying.