Guest Views: Is bullying worse now? Some comments
Maybe it's as bad as it ever was, or maybe it's gotten a little worse with the onset of social media. Or maybe the stakes are higher with, it at least seems, a greater proclivity for using violence to settle the score.
Bullying.
In the wake of violent school attacks in which investigations indicate that perpetrators were victims of bullying, and with the onset of an era of "cyberbullying," we asked a selection of people to write their comments on the topic. How common is bullying in Yuba-Sutter schools? Do you think bullying has changed? Is it worse than it used to be? If yes, how so?
Following are responses from three who responded.
If you'd like to add your voice to the discussion, send us a letter or comment online (instructions listed on the lower right of this page).
Bullying is serious issue
Bullying is repeated, willful actions aimed to hurt another and put him/her under stress. Bullying is a serious issue as we uncover this danger to children and adults.
As we evaluate whether it is rising or an ignored threat, we are now watching carefully. Bullying creates real dangers threatening to stall or derail children becoming healthy and fully productive adults and parents.
Brutal racism and hate against gay/lesbian individuals is the bulk of bullying across America.
Our district's anti-bullying campaign, headed by Jolie Carreon, created resources for students, teachers-coaches, principals, and parents to halt bullying and assist those targeted.
Jim Flurry
Marysville Joint Unified trustee
and retired teacher
Bullying is worse now
As a parent of a child who has been bullied within Yuba City Unified for the last five years, I can tell you (bullying) was bad then and is only worse now.
I am a district employee and substitute on all campuses. Bullying is on every campus. Our district needs harder consequences for these bullies and we need to adopt a district-wide bullying program so we are all trained, and working together to empower these children who have fallen victim to these bullies.
Right now I feel the administrators, principals and assistant principals are waiting for the instances to happen and then they take care of them, but are doing little to nothing to prevent them from happening.
Our children need some heavy bullying education.
Raquel Stephens
Yuba City
Student speaks out
I'm 11 years old and attend Central Gaither. I used to attend a school where bullying was a problem for me. I'm in sixth grade and last year, I just let it slide because it wasn't as bad. I dealt with name calling and "watch it!" comments. Things changed this school year.
My best friend started it, and it just got worse.
Everyone thought it was OK to push me around, threaten me, and call me names. No matter how many times one bully would back off, another would take his place. When I got tired of these guys pushing me on the ground and shaking out my backpack, I stood up, grabbed my backpack and punched the bully in the face. That day, they ran, but it still continued. My grades were getting bad.
My mom asked if I wanted to switch schools, and I said yes. So she called a meeting with the principal again, and the next week I started a new school. My grades went up, bullying stopped, and I just won first place at the spelling bee. I think bullying is worse at some schools, the older you get.
(Name withheld)
