Letter to the Editor- Bullies

Dear Editor:

For the past few years, we have heard of the “bullying” problem in our school systems.  In a few cases, the individual who had been bullied committed suicide.  While I agree this is a serious problem, I must wonder why it is so important today, compared to when I attended school in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

I was a student in both a Catholic elementary and high school in the City of Chicago.  I was fat, wore glasses, was intelligent, always answered the teacher’s questions correctly, and became someone that many of the school bullies wanted to fight and tease.  I cannot remember one week during my school years that I was not involved in a fight, had “spit-balls” in my hair, “lost” my books and homework assignments, and experienced serious harassment by many of the other students.

During the time I was a student, especially as a student in a Catholic school system, the teachers, predominately “nuns” did not hesitate to severely punish a student for the smallest infraction.  Being a huge kid, I was normally the first individual seen by the “nuns” during a fight, and in most cases, I was accused of starting the fight, no matter if I did or did not do so.  In fact, I remember many times when other students stood up to defend me and accuse my attacker.  Of course, this did not matter to the “nuns.”  I received physical punishment, ranging from having my hands hit with a 3-sided-ruler (that really hurt) to receiving “smacks” with the “Board of Education” across my butt.  Additionally, the school would contact my Mother who would (1) beat me for committing the infraction, and (2) tell my Father to continue the physical beatings.

One of the good things that came out of the physical abuse I received, was my pledge that I would never beat my wife or children.  I am not adverse to a “swat” or two on the child’s butt, however, that should seldom occur, and not until the child is old enough that, she/he is being punished for a misdeed.  It should be a corrective measure.

Today, in our climate of “Political Correctness” it is all but impossible for a teacher to take any significant action against an unruly or dangerous student.  A prime example of this is the assassin who killed the innocent individuals in the Arizona Massacre.  I will not get into a “gun control’ argument, even though I believe people kill people, guns are but a tool used to achieve these results.  A firearm without a person’s hand, will not discharge and injure or kill another.  However, from what I have read, the assassin was displaying obvious signs of emotional problems.  Rather than provide even a small degree of help for the individual, he was suspended from class until able to provide a statement from a psychiatrist or psychologist indicating he was safe to return to class.  It is very likely, had the school taken the correct action while he was a student, the “Arizona Massacre” may not have occurred.

So, why have we gotten so lax in correcting our children?  The answer is that scourge of American society – “Political Correctness!”  I believe I am not along in feeling that the tide of “Political Correctness” has become ridiculous!  It is all but impossible to take any corrective action to help an individual, as this would be politically incorrect.  A parent, attempting to “smack” a child on the butt even once and with only a hand, can be subject to arrest and conviction for battery, which is the physical act.  It is also possible the individual could be convicted of assault, the verbal or written threat against an individual.

What can we as a society do to address and resolve the bullying problems, as well as the insane “Political Correctness” running rampant through our nation?  First, we must realize that people will be bullied throughout their entire lives.  If the individual is unable to accept and handle bullying as a youth, she/he will never handle it as an adult.  These are the types of people that “go off the deep end” and commit offenses like the “Arizona Massacre” and other such attacks.  Rather than making bullying a criminal offense, the bullies should be sent to psychological professionals, those specializing in resolving the root cause of bully.

As for the individual being bullied, the school, and parents must be involved together to reinforce the positive aspects of the student’s life.  Can the individual play the piano?  Compliment the student!  Is she/he an artist?  Praise the results!  Positive reinforcement will help the individual gain a high degree of self-confidence and emotional stability.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

__________________

Christopher D. Mazur