The Anti Bullying Challenge

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Can you imagine how difficult it is, in the environment we're all seeing play out on TV, in papers, on Twitter, Facebook Instagram, etc. to talk to kids or administer anti bullying programs in schools and neighborhoods? Just a few short years ago people saw the consequences of public bullying - things like depression in young people, drug use, and most sadly suicides, as people were ridiculed and made fun of on social media and in real time on school properties or in cyber space.

Everyone seemed to jump on board and voice how terrible this behavior was and how it needed to stop. Making fun of people, badgering people due to weight issues, a disability, their sexuality, appearance, etc. was seen for what it was - bad behavior that needed to be called out and dealt with. Parents demanded it. The courts weighed in. School administrators, college presidents, politicians, psychologists and medical professionals all spoke out and began doing things. Funding was made available. T-shirts were printed, rallies were held and speakers were invited to school assemblies. In many cases, bad behavior was turned around. In other cases, individuals found their voice and spoke out. These were positive results I think and perhaps some lives were even saved.

Fast forward to today. Our adult world has been turned upside down. In a few short months it has become acceptable to turn all of this around. People cheer and wave their fists as people are tossed to the ground or punched at political rallies. It is ok to provoke political adversaries with obscenities on placards or to shout in someones face. Pictures, flattering and unflattering, of political candidates' wives are fair game. And when it gets really rough, front runners in campaigns say things like "he started it" in defense of their behavior.

I can't imagine what an administrator of an anti bullying program is supposed to do or say in this environment. How do you explain gross and bullying behavior by adults who are supposed to know better? How do you continue to talk to employees about positive workplace behavior?

We're going to feel and see some serious consequences to what is playing out in the current national political campaign I fear. People do respond to other people's behavior. Role models exist based on positions and historical context. Young people, and from what we've seen older people, model people they view as leaders.

The basic fact remains though. Bullying is wrong. It's hurtful and has consequences to the victim. It leads to long term behavior issues. Most importantly it has no political party or religious affiliation. It is a part of the human condition that needs to be controlled and most importantly not tolerated.

We can do things about this. Actually we should do things about this. Speaking up is a start. Letting people know when things cross lines that we all know are there and being respectful of differences and differences of opinion. Encouraging conversations and debates on issues while promoting tolerance. These are just some of the positive steps we can take. But we also have to be able to look young people in the eye and tell them what's acceptable and what's not.

It's a challenge but we have to meet it.