It should go without saying that bullying has no place in society. Not now, not ever, and those of us unfortunate enough to encounter it in the work place, at school, or at home, should do our utmost to root it out.
That can be easier said than done, of course, which tends to be why stopping bullies as early as possible is so vitally important.
Children who bully other kids often do so because they themselves have insecurities and doubts. Teaching them the errors of their ways can steer them onto the right path before it’s too late, perhaps preventing the abhorrent trait of bullying from following them into adulthood.
In any case, I think those who stand up to bullies – or at least intervene when and where they see someone being picked up or intimidated – deserve respect.
It takes courage to face down an individual intent on making someone’s life a misery; most people, sadly, are more inclined to turn their backs and pretend there’s nothing happening at all.
Fortunately, three teenagers at Lincoln Middle School, Wisconsin a few years back knew the difference between right and wrong, and stepped in when it mattered most to save the day for a young girl who was evidently struggling.