Bullying- Hot Topic!!

I have been wanting to post something about bullying for some time. But, I have not found the words to really eloquently write about the topic. 

As a teacher I deal with bullying on a daily basis. It breaks my heart to watch students deal with the emotional impact that "teasing" creates. I have had the displeasure of sitting on an expulsion board and re-tell in graphic detail the bullying a student of mine experienced at the hands of an older student. 

Bullying also is an issue we deal with on the Viking Homestead. The Viking Kiddos have also experienced bullying and it breaks my heart to watch the confusion and hurt on their face. It also pisses me off!

I have also been a victim of bullying. Yes, Viking Mom in all her confidence has also experienced bullying. 

Bullying is a learned behavior. It starts at the home. It is not an opinion or "freedom of speech."

"Bullying is the use of force or coercion to abuse or intimidate others. The behavior can be habitual and involve an imbalance of social or physical power. It can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a "target"." 
~ Wikipedia

There are over 83,700,000 results on the word "bullying."

How does one stop bullying and teach "self defense" to love ones?

As much as I would love to go "All A-Viking" on some of the bullies out there it is not legal nor does it really stop the problem. 

There are two Middle Schools in our Humble Little Town. They have two seriously polar opposites ways of dealing with bullying. 

School A:  Bullying happens. It is illegal. Lets meet the County Sheriff and the County District Attorney and learn about how illegal bullying is. And here is a form to report the crime. 

School B: Bullying is happens and it is illegal. But, bullies win when they take the targets power away. The school teaches empowerment and self esteem building. A student's strong self esteem and empowerment will encourage them to stand up to the bully and also report the crime. 

Empowerment! Taking the power back from the bullies... These all resonated with me when I watched this video. 

Empowerment!

"Do Not Let a Bully Determine Your Self Worth!"

Please share this..... Take back the power from the bully!!