Are bullying problems out of control? Thu, December 6, 2012
Bullies now face fines and possible jail time for calling people names in Hanna, Alta. and their followers who cheer on their taunts could be forced to pay up, too.
Most children are replicas of their parants. This is where they learn the basics of their stature and power trips. Most parants are intolerent of others within their given areas and kids pick up quite easily and bring the same ideals of their parants to their friends and schools. Maybe we need to deal with the parantal ideals and racism and ideas of how life should be accordingto them before we blame the kids.
Ron Glynn, 2011-09-27 08:55:25
Bullying can easily be dealt with by suspending the bullies and making their parents be responsible for finding a school that will teach them.
That of course will never happen because the schools are powerless to act because of the absurd rules that govern our youth and their accountability to their actions generally.
Lets hope this child did not take his life in vain and that something is done to combat this problem. We all know it goes on.
We are very quick to defend the rights of children overseas, what about our children's rights here in Canada.
Jon, 2011-09-27 08:27:55
I was bullied for 4 months in highscool. I was followed to my classes every day, i was surrounded at my locker, i had things thrown at me, i was called every name under the sun, they blocked all the paths to all my classes; it was ridiculous. I went to the VP of the school, and all he told me was to, and i quote, "Get a thicker skin."
I'm sorry but you do NOT tell a kid who has just been harassed for 4 months, to get a thicker skin.
Schools are always always ALWAYS going on about ZERO TOLERANCE. And yet it happens everyday and NOTHING gets done about it. A girl at the highschool i went to, committed suicide this year, because she was being bullied for being gay. Thats her own personal choice, nobody elses. After she had died, everyone said all these nice things about her, but nobody realizes that if we had said these things to these kids while they were still alive, they would probably still be here.
It's disgusting that this happens so often, and kids are always getting away with it. Even the ones who drive others to the point of taking their own life, they still get off scot-free. They may have a little guilt, but they'll more than likely keep doing what they're doing.
Schools need to put their foot down and really enforce the no bullying rule. Too many adolescents are taking their lives due to the ignorance of others. This boy was 11. 11 years old. He had so much more to live for. So much time ahead of him. And just because some stupid kid couldn't keep his mouth shut, this lively little boy is dead.
I hope we all learn to be a little more compassionate towards others.
Jess, 2011-09-24 22:28:41
AND did you notice the fact that now the charges against the youth are likely to be withdrawn? Disgusting!
HGA, 2011-09-24 11:37:45
It is increasingly obvious that the school system, parents of bullies,
and the judicial system are NOT protecting these young victims! If the incident happened in November 2010, why does it take almost a YEAR to bring the perpetrator of such a terrible attack to justice!? And at who's expense? NOONE'S except the victim who is a child that had already had to overcome enormous odds throughout his childhood in dealing with his ailment, and to have to live with the constant reminder that his
attacker was in his presence every day, not to mention encouraging his
friends to follow-up on the bullying. Obviously the bully did not learn his lesson and won't if the charges are dropped. As a parent, I can only imagine to anger and horror the father is having to live with at the loss of his beautiful child. And as a parent, I can't begin to
understand that knowing your child has caused such trauma in another child's life, you are not teaching them a lesson.
THAT same child should have been made to walk Mitchell home and be the one to protect him if there was any hope of changing his attitude.
But once again, bullying has led to the death of a child, and until society realizes the gravity and often irreversible implications, both physical and emotional, that these violent acts have on innocent children, kids
will continue to assume this kind of behaviour is acceptable. And the
repercussions in their lives will continue to be disastrous. What a
child learns in the early years is crucial, if the bully is left unpunished, what will he do in 10 years from now? Someone needs to
take responsibility for the death of this boy, but most importantly, those responsible need to recognize and understand the impact their actions had on the tragic outcome of this boy's life. These kinds of stories are just an awful reminder of how misdirected some members of our society are, and the lack of accountability that is let to remain.
Julie Laverdure, 2011-09-24 00:42:51
If this story doesn't tug at your heart strings then you have no heart. My condolances go out to Mitchell's family and friends. As far as I'm concerned the school should be taken to task and the bully should be charged with involuntary manslaughter. I had an issue with my step-son at a Pickering school. He was bullied by older boys who wanted to ride his custom bike which he and I built together. It came to a head one day after school whe he had to break free from 2 of the creeps holding him and ran into the school to a couple of teachers talking in the hall. They comforted him but refused to go outside with him so he could point them out and prevent his bike from getting ruined. I found out the school had just chastized the boys and that was it, even though they were just ending anti-bullying week!!. I went to the school and raised proper hell, either they give the kids a proper penalty or else I was going to lay charges against them and their parents. The penalty handed out by the school was they had to write a letter of apology and were not allowed to go on their school trip which was a number of days in Ottawa. The schools do not have the balls to control these bullies nor the legal ability since it may "infinge upon their rights". I was also told by another teacher that most teachers won't intervene for fear of damage to their personal property (like car in the parking lot) or even harm to themselves. Time has come to put the rights of the victims above those of the bullys. Hopefully Mitchell's sad plight may be the cadalysct for the government to make these changes.
Rest in peace Mitchell Wilson
Redneck Larry, 2011-09-23 20:29:29
It's very sad to see this happening again and again. Someone has to step up to the plate and get tough on these things. My condolences go out to the family.
Jon, 2011-09-23 14:06:14
In my opinion:
Bullying happens for a number of reasons but several are foremost in my mind.
1. It's the law of the jungle. Humans are not much different from animals biologically and the bottom line is survival. Thus the strong pick on the weak and even attempt to get rid of them which increases their chance for survival by having more food available. In addition the loss of the weak clearly has advantages for the survival of the species.
2. As we have progressed socially the need for food through survival, while still there, is less of a problem that in the early days of mankind. So now as we have more food we have less need to get rid of the weak. We now find ways to support and nourish them. But take away the food source and we would very quickly turn back to our old ways.
1 and 2 represent a form of bullying based on the need for physical survival. Dictatorial regimes best represent these scenarios but could apply to other regimes at any time given certain circumstances.
3. Again as we have progressed socially, and our physical needs have been better cared for, we have become more aware of our mental/emotional survival needs. In this sense how we feel about ourselves is as important as our physical need to survive. So if our self esteem is low, whether we are aware or not, we cover it up by being tough and picking on the weak. This makes us look good among our peers and gives us a sense of superiority. In this sense we are more likely to survive by demonstrating toughness especially to those who are weaker even though we may be weak inside.
4. Bullying can also be learned from our parents who themselves use this form of behavior to cover up for their own feelings of inferiority. They become our role models and we are taught to do the same. A parent’s comment when trouble arises….stop being a wimp. Get out there and fight like a man.
5. Finally it may well be a genetic issue in that the line up of the chromosomes may have produced an individual who is simply geared in this direction.
Solution:
Better parenting skills need to be taught.
Parents should not have children unless they demonstrate adequate skills and abilities. ( tough to impose this one)
Special training for teachers to recognize problem areas and intervene more quickly.
Creating peer intervention programs that protect against retaliation against those who help.
Increased education classes focusing on human behavior and bullying.
And many more…….
Jerome Anthony, 2011-09-23 14:02:05
Firstly my condolances go out to this family and all others who have experienced this kind of fate.
It is and has been obvious that the lack of punishment
/dicipline within the young offeneders act we currently have continues to be a joke. These kids know that there only going to get a slap on the wrist for what they do. Not to mention the more they do get away with the better for there own self esteme and control of others. Until serious changes happen to the young offenders act, I sadly do not see anthing getting better. I also believe the day they took out the word of God out of the school system, the brutality shown on television programs, the excessivness of sexuality displayed openly all over the place and all the other evil things our children are being exposed to and encouraged to follow is the pathway to disaster.
Margaret K, 2011-09-23 13:59:09
To think this kid will walk because the victim can no longer identify him is a sad statement on our justice system. Mitchell Wilson must have identified him at some point for the bastard to have been caught. He should be convicted and made to pay a stiff price for what he has done. Sometimes our justice system is tailored for the guilty and not the innocent victims
Are bullying problems out of control?
Ron Glynn, 2011-09-27 08:55:25
That of course will never happen because the schools are powerless to act because of the absurd rules that govern our youth and their accountability to their actions generally.
Lets hope this child did not take his life in vain and that something is done to combat this problem. We all know it goes on.
We are very quick to defend the rights of children overseas, what about our children's rights here in Canada.
Jon, 2011-09-27 08:27:55
I'm sorry but you do NOT tell a kid who has just been harassed for 4 months, to get a thicker skin.
Schools are always always ALWAYS going on about ZERO TOLERANCE. And yet it happens everyday and NOTHING gets done about it. A girl at the highschool i went to, committed suicide this year, because she was being bullied for being gay. Thats her own personal choice, nobody elses. After she had died, everyone said all these nice things about her, but nobody realizes that if we had said these things to these kids while they were still alive, they would probably still be here.
It's disgusting that this happens so often, and kids are always getting away with it. Even the ones who drive others to the point of taking their own life, they still get off scot-free. They may have a little guilt, but they'll more than likely keep doing what they're doing.
Schools need to put their foot down and really enforce the no bullying rule. Too many adolescents are taking their lives due to the ignorance of others. This boy was 11. 11 years old. He had so much more to live for. So much time ahead of him. And just because some stupid kid couldn't keep his mouth shut, this lively little boy is dead.
I hope we all learn to be a little more compassionate towards others.
Jess, 2011-09-24 22:28:41
HGA, 2011-09-24 11:37:45
and the judicial system are NOT protecting these young victims! If the incident happened in November 2010, why does it take almost a YEAR to bring the perpetrator of such a terrible attack to justice!? And at who's expense? NOONE'S except the victim who is a child that had already had to overcome enormous odds throughout his childhood in dealing with his ailment, and to have to live with the constant reminder that his
attacker was in his presence every day, not to mention encouraging his
friends to follow-up on the bullying. Obviously the bully did not learn his lesson and won't if the charges are dropped. As a parent, I can only imagine to anger and horror the father is having to live with at the loss of his beautiful child. And as a parent, I can't begin to
understand that knowing your child has caused such trauma in another child's life, you are not teaching them a lesson.
THAT same child should have been made to walk Mitchell home and be the one to protect him if there was any hope of changing his attitude.
But once again, bullying has led to the death of a child, and until society realizes the gravity and often irreversible implications, both physical and emotional, that these violent acts have on innocent children, kids
will continue to assume this kind of behaviour is acceptable. And the
repercussions in their lives will continue to be disastrous. What a
child learns in the early years is crucial, if the bully is left unpunished, what will he do in 10 years from now? Someone needs to
take responsibility for the death of this boy, but most importantly, those responsible need to recognize and understand the impact their actions had on the tragic outcome of this boy's life. These kinds of stories are just an awful reminder of how misdirected some members of our society are, and the lack of accountability that is let to remain.
Julie Laverdure, 2011-09-24 00:42:51
If this story doesn't tug at your heart strings then you have no heart. My condolances go out to Mitchell's family and friends. As far as I'm concerned the school should be taken to task and the bully should be charged with involuntary manslaughter. I had an issue with my step-son at a Pickering school. He was bullied by older boys who wanted to ride his custom bike which he and I built together. It came to a head one day after school whe he had to break free from 2 of the creeps holding him and ran into the school to a couple of teachers talking in the hall. They comforted him but refused to go outside with him so he could point them out and prevent his bike from getting ruined. I found out the school had just chastized the boys and that was it, even though they were just ending anti-bullying week!!. I went to the school and raised proper hell, either they give the kids a proper penalty or else I was going to lay charges against them and their parents. The penalty handed out by the school was they had to write a letter of apology and were not allowed to go on their school trip which was a number of days in Ottawa. The schools do not have the balls to control these bullies nor the legal ability since it may "infinge upon their rights". I was also told by another teacher that most teachers won't intervene for fear of damage to their personal property (like car in the parking lot) or even harm to themselves. Time has come to put the rights of the victims above those of the bullys. Hopefully Mitchell's sad plight may be the cadalysct for the government to make these changes.
Rest in peace Mitchell Wilson
Redneck Larry, 2011-09-23 20:29:29
Jon, 2011-09-23 14:06:14
Bullying happens for a number of reasons but several are foremost in my mind.
1. It's the law of the jungle. Humans are not much different from animals biologically and the bottom line is survival. Thus the strong pick on the weak and even attempt to get rid of them which increases their chance for survival by having more food available. In addition the loss of the weak clearly has advantages for the survival of the species.
2. As we have progressed socially the need for food through survival, while still there, is less of a problem that in the early days of mankind. So now as we have more food we have less need to get rid of the weak. We now find ways to support and nourish them. But take away the food source and we would very quickly turn back to our old ways.
1 and 2 represent a form of bullying based on the need for physical survival. Dictatorial regimes best represent these scenarios but could apply to other regimes at any time given certain circumstances.
3. Again as we have progressed socially, and our physical needs have been better cared for, we have become more aware of our mental/emotional survival needs. In this sense how we feel about ourselves is as important as our physical need to survive. So if our self esteem is low, whether we are aware or not, we cover it up by being tough and picking on the weak. This makes us look good among our peers and gives us a sense of superiority. In this sense we are more likely to survive by demonstrating toughness especially to those who are weaker even though we may be weak inside.
4. Bullying can also be learned from our parents who themselves use this form of behavior to cover up for their own feelings of inferiority. They become our role models and we are taught to do the same. A parent’s comment when trouble arises….stop being a wimp. Get out there and fight like a man.
5. Finally it may well be a genetic issue in that the line up of the chromosomes may have produced an individual who is simply geared in this direction.
Solution:
Better parenting skills need to be taught.
Parents should not have children unless they demonstrate adequate skills and abilities. ( tough to impose this one)
Special training for teachers to recognize problem areas and intervene more quickly.
Creating peer intervention programs that protect against retaliation against those who help.
Increased education classes focusing on human behavior and bullying.
And many more…….
Jerome Anthony, 2011-09-23 14:02:05
It is and has been obvious that the lack of punishment
/dicipline within the young offeneders act we currently have continues to be a joke. These kids know that there only going to get a slap on the wrist for what they do. Not to mention the more they do get away with the better for there own self esteme and control of others. Until serious changes happen to the young offenders act, I sadly do not see anthing getting better. I also believe the day they took out the word of God out of the school system, the brutality shown on television programs, the excessivness of sexuality displayed openly all over the place and all the other evil things our children are being exposed to and encouraged to follow is the pathway to disaster.
Margaret K, 2011-09-23 13:59:09
Taboma, 2011-09-23 13:57:00