This is always an important topic to discuss. We shared our thoughts on the three categories at this week's school meeting, and started with some data points:
- 1 in 5 teenagers will experience bullying in school
- The effects of Bullying include depression, anxiety, low self-worth, and isolation
- Over 60% of students report witnessing cyberbullying online
- Over 80% would take action if they could be anonymous
Students and faculty shared memories sparked by following questions:
- When in my life have I bullied/disrespected another person? What happened, and how do I feel about it?
- Describe a time in my life when I have been bullied/disrespected. What effect did it have on me?
- When have I witnessed someone being bullied/disrespected and let it happen? How did I feel about it then and how do I feel about it now?
The discussion was heartfelt and thoughtful. Students and faculty stepped up to share their stories and the lessons learned. Some of the stories included:
"In middle school, I was bullied mercilessly by other students and I was angry that the teachers were not able to do anything."
"There was a young student in my class who had special needs. One day, his aide was not there and he needed help with the bathroom. I got bullied for helping him, and I started getting angry too."
"I was always a smaller kid so I got bullied for that. At times, it got to me. I have learned to accept my size."
"I was very disrespectful to my Mom, not my Dad. I said awful things to her when I was younger, which upset her. I had to grow up and address this."
"Growing up, my Dad was hard on us. We always did a good job, but it led me to struggle with self-confidence, and today, I need to work more on my relationships with my peers on the faculty."
"There was a student in my group who failed first and second grade. We called him 1-2 and thought it was so funny. My father heard about it and was very upset. Of course, now I look back and see how hurtful that was."
"I had a teammate whose performance went down after he started dating a young woman. I said some terrible things to him about the girl and didn't even consider that there might be other things happening in his life, at school or at home."
At the end, we clapped for everyone who had the courage to share and be vulnerable. As one student said, "What struck me was how each experience left such an important learning moment!"
Laura D. Gauld '76
President