Special-needs kids victimized
Bullying, exclusion common, students say
By Jill Coley
Children with special needs are more often the subject of bullying and exclusion, an area study found.
Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina and The Citadel surveyed nearly 300 children aged 8-17 at clinics in the Charleston region.
"Parents often under- reported bullying and ostracism concerns," said lead author, Dr. Kimberly Twyman, a researcher in MUSC's Department of Pediatrics. She stressed the importance of asking children directly about these problems.
Children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, behavioral health problems and cystic fibrosis were compared with a control group of children with no diagnoses.
Nearly a quarter of elementary school students with behavioral health problems reported significant victimization, compared to 4 percent of the control group.
In middle and high school, 41 percent of the autism group reported significant victimization, as did nearly 25 percent of the attention deficit/hyperactivity group, compared to 4 percent of the control group.
Dr. Steve Nida, head of The Citadel's psychology department, along with a colleague from Purdue University in Illinois, focused on ostracism. Children who are purposely excluded scored higher on depression measures and their parents reported more acting-out behaviors, Nida said.
"Kids that have problems with behavior and are not competent socially, it's more likely they are excluded," he said. But leaving them out only exacerbates their behavior. "It's a vicious circle of exclusion and maladjustment," he said.
Nearly 40 percent of elementary school children and half of middle and high school students with autism reported significant ostracism, compared to about 9 percent of the control group.
"It's part of what kids do to some extent," Nida said. "But at some point you cross the line of damaging somebody else."
Charleston County School District officials said they are aware of special needs students' vulnerabilities. "Children with physical and health disabilities often get bullied and become victims," said Irene Meier, executive director of the district's Office of Exceptional Children.
To protect students, the district has higher staffing ratios for children with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities, autism and physical impairments, Meier said. Schools also have escorts who accompany "at risk" children around school buildings.
"It's all about how you present it," said Connie Dreusicke with Charleston Miracle League, which offers people with physical and mental challenges the chance to play organized baseball. "You can have an accepting population who is used to it and been around it."
Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com.
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pirate42 (anonymous) says...
take the parents of the kids that do this to othere kids and treat them the same in a seminar type situation for 3 nights a week for 6 months than see if they can get handle on there brats
May 11, 2009 at 5:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fred (anonymous) says...
Pirate, what works better is to teach the bystanders to intervene. When enough of the other kids stand up to the bullies by not letting them bully ANY other kids, the bullies lose their targets, followings, and their audiences. This way, the bullies lose their prime reasons for bullying. They quit
May 11, 2009 at 5:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
maeko (anonymous) says...
they needed a study to figure out that some of these kids get picked on? geesh...
May 11, 2009 at 5:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
There is no place in any school for this at all.
May 11, 2009 at 6:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thebugqueen01 (anonymous) says...
I had someone expelled for picking on a special needs person.
May 11, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Bullies are cowards at heart and need to be confronted as early as possible. We teach kids to tell on folks for a whole host of abuses towards themselves. Do we teach them to stand up for their peers as well.
May 11, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
I teach my kids how to (and give them permission to) defend themselves.
The passive/liberal idea of "agressors and defenders will be treated alike" in school has got to end. I tell my kids to defend themselves from aggressors. I am eagerly awaiting a court challenge (by myself) for denying my kids the right of self defense in school.
May 11, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Boot - you are a fool! One day your child will run into someone meaner and crazier....then what happens?
Violence is not the answer, standing up to bullies is the correct response and empowering children to defend their peers is also correct.
Bullies come in all sizes and all types.....there is verbal and physical abuse. I'm not sure which hurts more, the scars you can see or the ones you cannot.
May 11, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
Lunatic
The foolish ones are the lambs of this world who think a police officer awaits around every corner, to materialize just in time to save the day.
I wish I didn't need to teach my kids self-defense, but reality dictates otherwise.
Bullies don't understand "turn-the-other-cheek" diplomacy.
May 11, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allaneddie (anonymous) says...
"Nearly 40 percent of elementary school children and half of middle and high school students with autism reported significant ostracism, compared to about 9 percent of the control group."
When I was in the fourth grade a special needs boy was brought in by a man, he sat behind me for the rest of the year. He may have felt ostracized because it was impossible to talk with him about anything. He definitely was thinking different things than the rest of us. His situation was a little frightening because we didn't understand it. We were 9 years old, after all. I don't remember him being bullied, but I do remember that there was no interaction with him. It was impossible.
May 11, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Don't all Charleston County public school children qualify as special needs?
May 11, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Boot - I certainly hope your children do not have special needs, but it is not safe to teach children violence. Self-defence is one thing, but to tell your children that hitting is the first response is foolish.
We are animals, but I hope that we have evolved past hit first ask a question later.
Special needs children (mentally disabled) do not necessarily responde in "normal" ways. They can also be extremely unreasonable in their physical responses.
It is best to teach our children to be compassionate human beings that see different as not dangerous, but just different.
What a boring world it would be if we were all alike!
May 11, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
Posted by BootstrapRed on May 11, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lunatic
The foolish ones are the lambs of this world who think a police officer awaits around every corner, to materialize just in time to save the day.
I wish I didn't need to teach my kids self-defense, but reality dictates otherwise.
Bullies don't understand "turn-the-other-cheek" diplomacy.'
*********
BootstrapRed - well said. Violence was and has been the answer to end many wars and free Europe from Hitler. Sitting back like sheep, will only get one sheered or slaughtered, just ask the Jews that survived the holocaust.
May 11, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
My children are extremely compassionate. Compassion plus intelligence is what separates us from the psychopaths who are intent on harming us.
My children know when to use physical force to protect themselves.
"Hitting" as a response IS NOT self defense. Using physical force in an attempt to avoid personal harm during an attack IS self defense. They have been taught the difference, and know they have the right to utilize it if warranted.
May 11, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Wow! Cranky, that was the stupidest think I have ever read.....but not the stupidest thing you have ever said.
Please read this article again, this is about special needs children. Unless your children have special needs you are really just typing for typing sake and do not really know what these children are going through. We are all human and all deserving of love and understanding. When we finally stop teaching that different is BAD then maybe we will see true human kindness.
384 - compassion should be our first response to people who are different. No where in this article were we talking about WWII or the Holocaust. Either stay on topic or find an article to comment on that fits your ideals; which seems to be rather inclined to violence.
May 11, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
And yes, it is the duty of all citizens to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
I strongly defended my daughter who came to the defense of a little boy (in her class) who was being bullied. The boy has MS and is phycally unable to fend off bullies himself.
I am extremely proud of her for caring enough to help. She has learned well.
May 11, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Teach7775 (anonymous) says...
Cranky, go back up North... You give the decent Northerners a bad name......
May 11, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
The article starts with "Children with special needs are more often the subject of bullying and exclusion, an area study found."
Bullies, always prey on the weaker among us. So with that in mind, I found bootstrap's comment appropriate, and added my thoughts to it.
So, Luna, I was agreeing with bootstrap when he said "The foolish ones are the lambs ...' & 'Bullies don't understand "turn-the-other-cheek" diplomacy.'
And disagreeing with you when you said "Violence is not the answer..."
Its called a flowing debate within a forum. So, until you become a moderator of these boards, you share your opinion and I will share mine! Thank you.
May 11, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Boot - that is something to be extremely proud of and it sounds like your children are great humans!
It is sad that kids are born with kindness and at some point many forget or are taught otherwise as they "grow" up.
Boot - we may not agree on many things, but this is one subject that we can see eye to eye.
May 11, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BootstrapRed (anonymous) says...
Luna,
True, we are in agreement.
May 11, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
384 - please comment when you have something intelligent to say........that would be when?
So, are you saying that if you get in a disagreement the first response should be to hit someone?
Are you saying that a if you get in a fender bender and the other person is showing signs of road rage you should react in kind?
When we "thinking" humans decide that cooler heads are the wrong reactions we simply continue the stupidity, instead of using what "god" gave us.....our brains.
May 11, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
One of the purposes of our school system is to provide a tool to help create a better society. The current effort to suppress school violence, while imperfect and out of sync with South Carolina's culture, is an attempt to create a world where people are happier and more productive. Many other countries are far ahead of us in this regard and enjoy much lower rates of violence and crime than SC.
Unfortunately, SC loves violence. Many people here still believe it's ok to turn bullies loose on kids so the victims will learn to fight back. They can't recognize that the big lesson here is society belongs to the people who are best at delivering violence. We still have lots of adults who believes schools should go back to paddling students. Rule by force is still SC's core social principal.
Perhaps that is why we have such a huge prison system, such a high murder rate and so much violent crime and family violence in South Carolina. Despite all the churches and praying, our statistics show a very different operating set of cultural values. This culture imposes huge costs on taxpayers, industry and non profit institutions.
I have no idea if South Carolina will ever change, but there has been a huge improvement in how such behavior is being handled in our schools.
May 11, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
Luna, again you are confused, you dont dictate what one should post as their opinion.
A disagreement is not the same as being faced with violence, there is a difference. I see you are trying to put words in my mouth, and it is a weak attempt at best. Again, as bootstrap said 'I wish I didn't need to teach my kids self-defense, but reality dictates otherwise.
Bullies don't understand "turn-the-other-cheek" diplomacy.'
Dont confuse or muddy the water with trying to expand on what I posted.
I am not 'inclined to violence.' However, when one is cofronted with violence, there are very few options but to defend your self and others, which would mean responding with a violent act.
"We make war that we may live in peace."
Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics
May 11, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Maybe you should cut and paste "The Art of War"....
And I could give a flying flip what you post....most of it seems to be drivel at best and advocating violence at worst. So post away....but you make Aristotle sound like a raving nutcase....and that is sad, because he was not.
wj - once again you give a terrific perspective. Thank you for your post.
May 11, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Teach7775 (anonymous) says...
Just thinking:
One can argue that the Southeastern United States boasts the most churches, and the highest percentage of citizens per capita that claim to be part of an organized religion.
Yet, one can argue even further that the Southeastern United States also boasts the highest crime rates and worst school systems in the country...
Any relationship? If so, is this relationship a good one?
I am not stating my opinion either way... Just wondering.....
May 11, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skippersmommy (anonymous) says...
Luna, I was looking back at your posts. They all start with an insult to someone that disagrees with you. If you want your opinions taken seriously, drop the getting personal stuff. You come across as an annoying, hypocritical liberal with a mean streak. I immediately take what you say with a grain of salt because of your tone.
May 11, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Actually, I think everyone here has missed a major part of the problem. This is something that has gone wrong in America for years, but I have really only heard people begin to address this in the last year or two. It is this bizarre "gender blurring" that has been going on in the public schools. I kind of blew this off until my kids verified to me that this goes on. In schools all across America, kids are being taught that everyone should be partly masculine and partly feminine whether you are a boy or a girl, and that the old ways of there being "men" and "women" were wrong. Today, young men don't fully understand what the term "man" means. When I was growing up, a boy didn't even CONSIDER hitting or bullying a girl or a handicapped child. In those days, that meant you weren't a "real man" and you would get called various politically incorrect names that would get me booted from the P&C site. That's a big part of the problem. ALso, you have girls who walk around trying to be tough guys. These kids have completely lost the idea of what it means to be a man or woman. Men are supposed to feel protective towards these people and women are supposed to feel sympathetic. When you blur the lines, all hell breaks loose.
May 11, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
When we pay more per inmate than we do per student....I would say yes, there is a relationship.
When we fail to educate our students we only create more criminals.
May 11, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
Posted by Teach7775 on May 11, 2009 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just thinking:
One can argue that the Southeastern United States boasts the most churches, and the highest percentage of citizens per capita that claim to be part of an organized religion.
Yet, one can argue even further that the Southeastern United States also boasts the highest crime rates and worst school systems in the country...
***
Having lived in both, the NORTHeast has far worse crime and equally bad schools.
May 11, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Mommy - whatever. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes then maybe you will understand where I am coming from.
Until then just skip my posts, they will make for an easier life for you and of course, the less you understand your fellow man the better off you are, right?
Did you have anything to add to the actual article or are you just looking for a disagreement? Either way I am here to serve;-0 Yes I did!
May 11, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
Don't repeat what the idiot professor said teach775-old news that is bad at best, ignorant at least. I can't even believe you went there on this article-makes me wonder who the "special kid" is in this classroom. I won't comment on this story as it really ticks me off when this crap happens-just look at my previous posts on the subject and you will know wher I stand! Someone said it right above-we are supposed to help and protect those who cannot do it themselves!
May 11, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
BTW Mommy - Who were you before you created your post name on May 2, 2009? Just wondering if you are someone I may have ticked off in the past.....if so welcome back, if not welcome to the P&C comment section. Enjoy the ride.
May 11, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skippersmommy (anonymous) says...
Thank you for the kind welcome, Luna. I am new to posting though I've been reading these for 2 years. I have no idea who you are. I just wanted to share my impression of you.
Excuse me, Jerry Springer is on.
May 11, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
That is one of the things that I find both annoying and enjoying....annominity.
Enjoy Jerry.....wonder if it will be "I Am My Own Grandpa" or "I Never Knew She Was a He"?
May 11, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
It appears luna has very little compassion & tolerance for those that disagree with her/him.
Teach7775 & wjhamilton3, seem to be off topic, yet s/he has no problem with their posts because they fit her/his mind set.
Luna's hypocrisy is further demonstrated with her/his attack on skippersmommy.
Are you a cyber bully luna?
A little info based on the reality that mean people are out there and there is nothing wrong with SOME special needs kids learning to defend themselves as well as deal with verbal disagreements, without resoting to violence.
Peak Karate'-do
For special needs children K-5th grade
Teach all relevant information and methods of self defense, complex and non complex skills.
Administer specific strategies for improving behavior in children.
http://www.mountolivetownship.com/rec...
only our special needs children (and adults), which is something that is apparently quite clear to Anthony Marquez, a seventh degree black belt and founder of the School of Hope.
"The School of Hope is a martial arts academy that is dedicated to training children and adults with or without disabilities," Marquez states.
http://martialarts.about.com/b/2009/0...
"When you resort to attacking the messenger and not the message, you have lost the debate."
Addison Whithecomb
May 11, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
I can't reconcile the violent culture of SC with the New Testament.
I understand there is more violence in the North East, because there are more people. However when you reduce it to a per capita crime rate, SC is more dangerous than New York City.
Hopefully if our schools cultivate a culture of mutual respect and an acceptance of diversity, the state will be a better place in the future. I know Moultrie Middle School and Wando take the problem very seriously.
As to boys who bully girls and girls who bully boys, I'm certain that problem has a partial origin in the high levels of divorce. Many children are not raised by two parents and their understanding of relations between the sexes are shaped by the divorce, custody and child support controversies they experience. For over half the children today, their primary family model is oppositional, not cooperative.
That makes promoting an understanding of how community and cooperation works and mutual respect an even more important challenge for our schools. Without it, the next generation may not be able to manage a level of social cooperation necessary to make society function.
SC also has one of the highest divorce and born out of wedlock rates in the US.
Violence always begins with the vulnerable and works its way up. Teaching respect for special needs children and other members of the school community is an important step in preventing a culture of oppression and violence from being perpetuated.
May 11, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AFWally (anonymous) says...
Picking on special needs students didn't work in my day....I was a member of a unit similar to Curtis Sliwa's "Guardian Angels" before their was such a thing. The teachers and school officials knew we existed but had no knowledge of our structure or membership.....for the most part they were happy we took care of things, especially bullies.
May 11, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MyView (anonymous) says...
Bootstrap, Greyrider, 384
I whole heartedly agree. If everyone did as we have and taught our children to defend themselves against bullies, and defend from bullies those unable to defend themselves. Violence would be greatly reduced.
What keeps our children from being victimized is the confidence, and skills they have which do not make them targets. Bullies pick on the weak. Portray yourself as a target and you will be. This is one of the main rules of self defense teachings.
To believe we can all live in peace and harmony by teaching not to be violent and to be compassionate in schools is PURE FANTASY. Fear of consequence and reprisal are what keep you from doing the wrong thing. Who gives a hoot if you are put in time out and talked to when you are 5 years old. Well worth the consequence if the prize is an extra cookie in the eyes of a 5 year old.
I did not do the wrong thing many times in my life, because I understood the consequence. I thank my parents for that. Yes, that included a spanking when needed. Which was very few and far between, because I knew the consequence was real. Thereby reducing the times which disciplinary action was needed. DUH!!!!!!!!
May 11, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Violence is not the answer - and if that means I am a cyber bully than so be it.
You may want to educate yourself on ALL the forms of special needs before you advocate teaching them ALL self-defense......one size fits all rarely works in clothing or anything else.
384 - like I said walk a mile in someone else's shoes, but then again that would mean you would have to discard all your preconceived notions about humanity. Can you do that?
I would rather believe that we humans are capable of rational thought and that we are capable of resolving our disputes with something other than brute violence.
Just saying........and from reading your previous posts you seem doomed to repeat the same tired republican rhetoric, but one day you will learn from your cut & pastes, or we can only hope.
May 11, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
MyView - are you advocating for grown adults to hit a 5 year old? And that teaches what?
Absolutes are not wise in any form.... from your post it looks like you see only one way to react. I believe that having a large brain means we should use it......
May 11, 2009 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MyView (anonymous) says...
Luna-you are a cyber bully and obviously have a VERY limited ability to comprehend the message someone is conveying. I am not adovcating adults hitting children. Slow down, lay off the caffine, or whatever else that charges you up.
Absolutes are not wise, I agree, and I am not advocating absolutes.
I will not respond to you any further directly as I believe you to be irrational, you may want to seek medical advice.
May 11, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
Posted by Luna on May 11, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"You may want to educate yourself on ALL the forms of special needs before you advocate teaching them ALL self-defense......"
I never said ALL.
Luna, can you read? Are do you just make crap up to fit your weak position with ad hominem comments?
Look close for the word SOME in caps, from my post:
Posted by Aristotle_384 on May 11, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A little info based on the reality that mean people are out there and there is nothing wrong with SOME special needs kids learning to defend themselves as well as deal with verbal disagreements, without resoting to violence."
After reading your past posts, I think that skippersmommy was right, you are nothing more than a weak and insecure person that feels the need to demean those that disagree with you to make yourself feel better..wiser, special.
I didnt want to retort with personal attacks, but the fact remains, I posted an agreement with BootstrapRed, you didnt like it, and started to go after me with crap I never said.
And now your putting words in MyViews mouth. It appears by your posts that you see only one way to react -
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
Aristotle
"When you resort to attacking the messenger and not the message, you have lost the debate."
Addison Whithecomb
May 11, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Aristotle_384 (anonymous) says...
Posted by MyView "I will not respond to you any further directly as I believe you to be irrational, you may want to seek medical advice."
Good advice, thanks MyView.
May 11, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
WOW! You guys must be separated at birth.
I don't need caffeine I have you guys to get the blood moving. You come on here and spout off your very narrow view of the "real" world and then try to cut & paste or use multisyllabic words to make yourself feel better than others. Now who is the bully??? Hhhmmmmm? Feeling superior? Feeling like you are better than? Yep, sounds like a bully to me:.but then again I am a bully, right? Must take one to know one.
and then when someone disagrees with you and you attack like a swarm of violent wasps....violent being the prime word.
Who do you advocate teaching self defense to....the kid with a spinal injury? or the one with a brain injury, or the one with emotional disabilities or wait how about the one that cannot see? Why not just paint a bull's eye on them?
May 11, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
OR better yet....lets give them a gun for self protection! Sure, guns in the schools is just what we need!
You are a piece of work!
And MyView - what in my posts indicates I have a medical need? Was it the compassion part, the using our brains instead of brawn, or that protecting our most needy? Sure, I'm mad as a hatter!
May 11, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Luna are you a preacher brought up in South Carolina public schools? Just guessing from the blind ignorance and love of telling others there're wrong. Bless your heart!
May 11, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
cranky - only us southerners are allowed to use "bless your heart" or didn't they teach you that up there in those liberal high and mighty northern schools.
I just call 'em like I see 'em, honey child.....and you represent what we do not like about YANKEES.
Know the difference in a yankee and a darn yankee?
Yankees come and visit, darn yankees come and stay!
And pray tell, what is ignorance about compassion and nonviolence? We tolerate your kind after all and most of us do not advocate violence against ya'll carpetbaggers.
May 11, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greyrider (anonymous) says...
I guess your perspective depends on where you grew up. Speaking as someone who grew up in the NE, although I understand that SC as a state has a high violent crime rate, I can tell you that compared to the Northeast, the South Carolina Lowcountry is like Mayberry by comparison. I can only assume that wjhamilton3 grew up here and doesn't know anything about the outside world to give a different perspective.
Also, I've noticed that wjhamilton3 ONLY references the NEW Testament. Why? The Old Testament is ALSO the Word of God, AND what about Jesus chasing people out of the temple? I understand that you don't counter bullying with bigger and more bullying, but there is nothing wrong with protecting the innocent. There is a difference. Or are all cops evil?
May 11, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JDHawg (anonymous) says...
You know in these day and times people don't fight it out like they use too. these days they just pull out a gun and shoot the other person. NO RESPECT FOR ANOTHER LIFE!!
May 11, 2009 at 1:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Very good posts BootStrap and greyrider. One other point that I'm gonna bring up and probably piss a lot of people off... First, let me start by saying I do not believe that the handicapped should be completed excluded. But, the politically correct, "we're all the same" attitude isn't always a good plan. At my daughter's elementary school years ago, they heavily integrated the severely (please note: severely) mentally handicapped with the other students. This sounds fine right? Well, not always. She came home one day terrified. At recess, one of her classmates retrieved a "stray" ball for a mentally handicapped boy. The boy tackled, bit, kicked and punched the boy who helped him. My daughter said, "Oh Mom this happens all of the time. That boy is a bully." I was appalled that they were integrating such severely handicapped out of control kids. How can some kids be tolerant when they get their arses kicked by the special needs kids? This was putting others in danger. All in the name of political correctness. I'm very glad at her current school she tells me there is no bullying toward the handicapped at all. She said they are friends with all of the kids and "high five" each other in the hall.
May 11, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
cool - violent mentally handicap children should not be mainstreamed. There are special public schools that they should be referred to....bullies are not always the "normal" kids.
But with that being said we should teach our children that one special needs bully does not all others make.
May 11, 2009 at 1:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
Things have changed very little over the years. I was never bullied in school, but there were times when I stood up for classmates if I saw them get bullied. It's sad, but the bullies will grow up into adult bullies. It's like a vicious cycle.
May 11, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smvw75 (anonymous) says...
Isn't sad or is it ironic that an article on bullying has lead to bullying???
As person with Learning Disabilities I know why I did not stick up for myself. Because I was a stupid, ugly, freak. Or at least that is what I was told by my peers. I told my teachers because I thought they would help me. But no. All I got was: Stick and stones may break my bones but word will never hurt me." Lie.
Of course it did not help that my teachers did not know what to do with me. I did not give the answers they wanted in the way they wanted therefore I was ignored. And then blamed when I did not perform.
When you believe you are a stupid, ugly, freak you don't believe that you can stick up for yourself.
May 12, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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