It has always fascinated me how much you can connect with someone on so many levels. Throughout the years, I’ve met a number of people who’ve experienced a lot of the things I feared discussing with others.
Thankfully, through my blog, I’ve been able to share many of these topics including why I wasn’t a fan of taking ballet classes as a child. Spoiler alert: I ran into a bully.
Bullies are everywhere. Regardless of age group, gender, or profession, there has always been someone trying to push someone else around. According to a recent Seventeen.com poll, 62% of the participants said they’ve considered transferring schools because of a bully.
Those polled noted that appearance and weight are top of mind for bullies when choosing their victims. Seventeen.com surveyed 716 randomly selected teens and young adults ages 13-24.
But not all hope is lost for future generations, with 90% of the participants who agreed that kindness and 50% who said humor were two of the most valued characteristics of their peers.
How Adults Can Help
Adults play an important role in helping students stop bullying. The results showed that most polled had consulted an adult to try to stop a bully.
It was interesting to find out how there are teens and young adults who aren’t aware of bullying — as in they don’t know what it is. To help them better understand, Seventeen.com has put together a piece showcasing the meaning of bullying and how it’s evolved into cyberbullying. You can find tips on the page as well.
Whenever I think about the possibility of our kids running into a bully or two throughout their lives I remind myself that everything is going to be okay. My husband and I have been prepping our boys daily for them to understand that not everyone is kind, but there are people who are and how they need to be one of them.
Kindness goes a long way, but so does standing your ground. Since becoming a parent, I’ve had to show others the importance of not mistaking kindness for weakness. This is what we try to instill in our boys — the value of being true to yourself and standing by your beliefs.
Do you talk about bullying with your kids?
24 responses to “Kindness Shines A Light On Bullying”
I so agree with teach the kids about kindness. Preparing kids for the what ifs is also good.
Yes! Kindness really does go a long way. 🙂
I often wonder if kids consider bullying incidents actual bullying. We loo at situations as mean and uncalled for but if the other kids don’t seem bothered it might be hard to preach to them. The only way is with kindness
This is an ongoing problem in our schools that needs to be fixed. I remember when I was in school bullying did exist but not on the scale like it is today. I commend you for bring awareness to the issue
I have to agree with you. I remember seeing it, and hearing about it as a child — even going through it — but it wasn’t as bad as it is today.
I am so sorry you were bullied growing up. I’ve been made fun of when I was younger – it really affects you on an emotional level. Thanks for sharing your story! x
It really does. Thank you for taking the time to read about it.
I think it is so important to talk about bullying with your kids. It is so sad that we live in a world where bullying is so rampant.
Yes! I’ve always said the more you educate children, the better they become as adults.
This was great to read! I wish people can understand this and have some sense.
Thank you. It really is good to hear how kindness is impacted the way they view bullying. And that there are people out there who are actually being kind to others.
I was bullied when I was a child because I was very short and chubby. It still smarts when I think about it!
So sorry to hear. And yes, when we’re bullied as a child/teen, it stays with us for a lifetime.
Dealing with this all the time at my kids school. Luckily my kids are the “kill em with kindness” type.
As a teacher, I talk about this thing often. It is so important to talk to them about it but also be a role model!
That’s awesome! We need more teachers who are willing to make a change. Not just stand there and let it happen.
It is so sad that this is still such a huge issue. I picked our home solely based on the school district and where my kids could stay somewhat sheltered from it. Kindness is something we need to talk about and show our kids daily.
Kindness definitely needs to be discussed with kids. Thanks for sharing!