Rise Above

   

    Being nipped while standing in line, waiting to get into the classroom. Falling down onto your knees, when you're suddenly pushed forcefully from behind. Hearing nasty comments directed at you, that result in you wanting to hide in a darkened room, never to see the light of day again. A group of your peers, following you home from school in silence, scaring you near witless and finally receiving the anticipated slap when you least expect it.

    Bullying, is something that I encountered during many of my school years. Of course it's not an action that is solely experienced by children or teenagers, because we all know it happens in the adult world too. But if we educate our kids from an early age that it is not acceptable behaviour in our society, hopefully we can make life a bit easier for many. After all life throws enough problems at us, for sure.

    The reason I wanted to write about bullying today, is because I witnessed a situation last week in the airport on my way home from my vacation, that filled me with horror. Two young boys, one aged around five years, the other I would estimate eight years old were accompanied by four adults; a sight that at first I found neither unusual or disturbing.

    The two youngsters who were engaged in what seemed a game of rough and tumble, were most definitely brothers as they were two peas in a pod, except for one obviously being a little older. Two of the adults I assumed were the boy's parents, the other couple their grandparents and from the noise that the small party were making, they were in a boisterous mood.

    So, what made this group stand out from the crowd? Because, on nearing them I realised that the older of the two boys was kicking and punching his sibling violently. They were not playing any kind of game and there was no attempt by any of the adults in the group of four, to come to the aid of the exhausted, crying young victim. Only laughs, jeers and calls for the small boy to retaliate with violence.

    Now I got through my troubled school years with the help and support of my family totally unscarred. But, if this conduct is condoned and encouraged within this family unit, I cannot help but think this young boy may not be so lucky.