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bullied middle schooler kills himself

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dpb.3322:
This is tragic to read about. I feel like I have noticed less "bullying" here in Korea than I would back in the states. That could be because I don't speak or understand Korean. When I have noticed it my co teachers have done very little to stop it. I do my best to stop it when I do notice it. But again not speaking Korean makes it difficult for me.

cowboy7:
I very much agree that bullying is an enormous problem here.  I also feel that with some teenagers, even at the age of 12 or 13 as someone else suggested, it is too late to change their problematic behavior.  But of course that is only a minority proportion of teenagers. For most they will grow up and their minds will mature.  A lot of bullying will go away as the kids get older, right? I can’t imagine 50% of the adults on this board writing on a survey that they are being bullied. 

Something interesting in the article was that ‘…70 percent of the offenders did not think that their actions were wrong, with 34 percent saying they did it for fun…’  You might wonder how some people would not know they were doing something wrong but really it happens.  I guess I used to bully a classmate.  To me it was just guys being guys, eating each other’s food and punches in the arm.  We eventually became best friends and after we graduated from college he confessed to me that the entire first year of high school he was scared of me and thought I was a huge bully to him.  I was blown away, I hadn't expected him to feel that way.  It reminds me of how some women are too scared or embarrassed to tell others they were raped or how many married men don’t report domestic violence against them.  I imagine there are heaps of students who get bullied and don’t tell anyone.  They just hold it inside or go on shooting sprees or in this case commit suicide.  I don't know enough about the subject but maybe there should be more school seminars to encourage those being bullied to speak up?

tcheyanne:

--- Quote from: cowboy7 on May 30, 2012, 03:33:55 PM ---I imagine there are heaps of students who get bullied and don’t tell anyone.  They just hold it inside or go on shooting sprees or in this case commit suicide.  I don't know enough about the subject but maybe there should be more school seminars to encourage those being bullied to speak up?

--- End quote ---

I definitely agree that a program should be put in place to combat bullying. It would be beneficial for students to know who to go to (like a counsellor) or teacher they feel comfortable with. However, I know that many students feel like this will not solve the problem. For example, if the student tells the teacher about him/her being bullied the teacher may speak to the student/s involved and this may escalate the issue.

If anyone has watched Boys Over Flowers bullying is an issue that is seen in the very beginning. Nothing is done about bullying, we are just made to feel sorry for her. I know there was a campaign against cyber bullying in Australia that some AFL Stars have supported. Maybe if there is more media exposure to bullying where influential people like K-Pop artists and actors got involved and spoke out about bullying then people would feel more comfortable to speak out.

wrinklebump:
a 10 year old just killed herself. no idea if it was related to bullying, though.

http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20120704001341&cpv=0

unacceptable

SugarBabe82:
 :'( I've taught High school kids before and came across a lot of bullying. I wasnt shocked that bullying goes on
of course it goes on in the US and in South Africa - all over. It shocked me that teachers were ignoring the bullying that was going on. They say "oh they're only joking with each other" Students pulling hair, showing the middle finger, pushing each other - worst of all is the name calling. "Whoever said sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me" was telling a lie. Words cut deep, and it sticks in your mind. Kids start believing what other say about them. Really I want to make some difference as a teacher, I really want support from other teachers. To try start clubs - support club at school were kids can come hang out and chat - share their feelings - play some team work games - not competitive games. Yes, most schools have started a WE class for conselling but we need a cool club where kids know they can share - they can we open. I know there was an MTV show/programme about schools in America getting together and these motivational speakers came to talk with them and do some exercises - it looked fun, some of the parts they needed to be honest about themselves. Oh man we need to do something like this in Korea. Perhap we should all suggest to Mannam organisers... what you all think?

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