Understanding Bullying: Why It Should Not Be Normal Behavior
Imagine you’re at school, and there are different groups of kids. Sometimes, some kids might pick on others because they want to feel stronger or cooler. They might think that by making someone else feel bad, it makes them look better. But just like how we don’t like it when someone takes our toys or makes us feel sad, bullying isn’t nice. It’s important to be kind and treat everyone with respect, just like we want others to treat us.
Some people think bullying is normal because they see it happening a lot—like in movies or on the playground. But just because something happens a lot doesn’t mean it’s okay. It’s always better to be a friend and help others feel happy!
Bullying: An Inherent Instinct, but Not Healthy
Bullying is an essential part of human instinctive behavior, and it will never be completely suppressed. However, it should not be fully embraced or considered a normal behavior. Children bully others for many reasons, and one of them is that someone is not perceived as 'normal.'
A Personal Example of Bullying
I once knew a 13-year-old boy, a brother of my girlfriend. This boy had been bullied a lot in school by other children. One day, my girlfriend and I went hiking. The boy fell to the ground repeatedly, crying desperately. He was clearly weak mentally and physically for his age, not because he was sick or stupid. He was actually a normal boy in every other way.
This boy's legs were very weak for his age, and he was cumbersome. It was not because he was sick or stupid; his father had never tried hard enough to make him a 'man.' In the family, the woman held more power, and the father was somewhat suppressed. This poor boy was attending a dancing class instead of participating in gym or male sports activities!
At this moment, I immediately understood why some children were bullying this boy. He was exceptionally weak in one area, and it was not normal or healthy. His parents were much more guilty than he was. Children will instinctively correct such behavior because the bullied person might be partially suppressed for the rest of their life so they don't infect others by their malformed way of living. Alternatively, they might become stronger, normal, and a rightful part of society.
Healthy Levels of Bullying in Society
As a society, we should suppress bullying. However, we should never try to suppress it completely. There exists a healthy and beneficial level of bullying among people that should never disappear. If it did, our society would become dangerously sick. It is crucial for each normal person to understand that our society is already becoming dangerously sick.
Understanding the nuances and complexities of bullying can help us address it more effectively. We must find ways to support and empower individuals who are being bullied and instill healthy behaviors to prevent bullying from escalating.