Solution to Bullying

Thirteen year old bullied by 7 teens.

Seven teens arrested for bullying teen in Philadelphia suburb; abuse is shown
in the following You Tube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg0ixG4XFlk

Not only are the actions in the video offensive, the comments from
viewers are laced with offensive language and some don’t even
know how to spell.

The whole point of freedom is that it applies to all in the United States of America--Not just the people you like. Everyone has a civic duty to be respectful to each other regardless of your age. The way you dress, the way you speak should show respect to yourself and to others. One should take pride in one’s family name and in one’s own actions. Somewhere along the last few generations, standards of decency have been discarded. Teens are frantically searching for their boundaries and are finding none. No wonder they are self destructing. How can you think outside the box if you don’t even know where it is?

Bullying is another example of how democracy only works when the majority of its people are honorable, civilized, law abiding citizens. Only one adult woman was brave enough or cared enough to confront a group of 7 teens aged 13 to 17 who were bullying a 13 year old teen. Congratulations and thank you to this yet unnamed woman. She is a hero and the backbone of America.

My guess is these teens don’t know how to behave as civilized citizens. And worse
yet, adults don’t expect them to behave as civilized citizens until they are old enough to get off of their parents' insurance coverage…now age 26. Then they wonder why their offspring do not behave properly when they become of age. This is worse than SAD. The other sad part is adults expect children to know this information without teaching them how to behave as civilized citizens. Teaching
manners is the job of parents. It should then be reinforced by examples seen
at school and any other public place adults and children are together. We are
all role models whether we like it or not.

I think their punishment should be one by one each teen should stand on a gym stage
and read this entire book, “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, aloud over a microphone. All kids in detention should be sitting in the
audience and hearing this information over and over. They must each take a
turn and read the entire book aloud. The only way to get out of detention is
to take your turn in reading aloud and to pass a test covering the material in the
book: 365 common, every day courtesy tips and the reasons to use each one.
These tips apply equally to men, women, and children, all ages, colors, all socioeconomic levels, and all religious or political affiliations. It would also be nice for any student who wants to, to sit in the audience and watch the bullies speak.

The results will be these teens will gain information and experience in working with a microphone and speaking to a public audience (future job skills). Their diction will eventually improve just by doing/speaking and learning to pronounce the words without slurring or mumbling (another job skill learned). No gum while speaking (another social skill learned). They will learn how to recognize when someone is treating them with respect. They will learn how to show respect to others. They will develop a backbone, common sense, and good self esteem just by knowing this information.

All who hear this information will learn they, too, are a valuable person and how they can contribute to a better world. They will learn to base their self esteem on core values which will make them an honorable, trustworthy, civilized person regardless of their skin color, the amount of money they have or don’t have, or even on their looks. It is easy to hold yourself to a higher standard when you
know how. Someone will always have more money and “pretty” fades over time.
Honorable, civilized core values will last you a life time.

"A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95
will be the best investment you can make for your family and your
children. It is available on line at www.janpolk.com