Excellent Conversation Regarding Effects of Bullying

The NPR Program, "Here and Now," always has interesting and valuable content, but recently there was one discussion, on the impacts of bullying, that should have every parent -- those of the innocent bystander children, as well as those of the victims, and those of the bullies -- paying close attention and pressing to make sure that bullying is aggressively not-even-tolerated in Elwood's Schools.

The program excerpt may be accessed on the "Here and Now" website, at http://www.hereandnow.org/2009/08/rundown-85/

I would not suggest that any parent would be so callous as to encourage bullying, but parents may sometimes not sufficiently care about a problem area as long as their own child is not being (currently) affected by the particular problem.

Whether it is through a PTA unit, or whether it is through more direct parent involvement, we must all care about bullying, and we must make sure that it is not allowed to exist. That means that each of us, and all of us, must insure that the potential problem area receives strong corrective and preventive action, and not merely strong words.

Bullying, as discussed by most experts, is generally student-on-student, but we sometimes read about incidents in some districts where it may come from a trusted adult member of staff. Those of my generation remember the physical abuses which students often suffered (usually with the consent and even gratitude of one's parents), but that is -- thankfully -- a thing of the past. The kind of bullying of more recent generations is generally verbal, but the NPR story will make you realize how dangerous it can be, and how important it is to prevent.

For previous commentaries on the general subject of bullying, you can find them on the blog "Elwood Illuminations," and you will find two of them at the following web citations:

http://elwoodilluminations.blogspot.com/2009/06/pediatrician-provides-
some-excellent.html

http://elwoodilluminations.blogspot.com/2009/06/understanding-and-
helping-your-young.html

After a dismal July, we are now blessed with more typical summer weather, and it seems surprising that the return to school is now about four weeks away. Where did the time go?

Enjoy the special time that you and your children have left, this summer.

Jerry Hannon