Blog Post: Bullying -- Always a Hot Topic Nowadays

I am prepared for many readers to disagree with me on this topic. But, here goes...

Everywhere you go, it seems as if "bullying" is the new buzz word. Kids get bullied at school. Kids get bullied online. Heck, I've even heard of adults complaining about being bullied in the work place. It was even the topic of discussion at the on Oct. 5.

While the obsession with talking about bullying is semi-new, the actual act of bullying is not. Bullying has been going on for years. It occurred when my parents were in school. Bullying happened when my grandparents walked five-miles a day to school. And it certainly occurred in the 80s, when I was in elementary and middle school.

In fact, I think it is almost safe to say that everyone in my elementary and middle school at one time or another was bullied and played the role of the bully themselves.

Yes, being bullied hurt. Yes, some days it got to me more than others. Yes, some days I cried and thought things would never get better. But, I survived. I made it out of elementary and middle school. I can't say that I am better or worse off because of the bullying. But, it was a fact of life.

Webster's defines bully as A noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous, who threatens, intimidates, or badgers people who are smaller or weaker than he is; an insolent, tyrannical fellow. Admit it, you were bullied and you are hear to tell the stories.

So why is America obsessed with bullying? Why are there forums and conferences about bullying? Why do schools have bully rules and make students sign non-bullying promises? Is this just a continuation of a society of raising kids in a bubble?