It's a tough one this, being a victim of bullying myself. I find it easy to blame the kids involved, but easier to forget the responsibility of the school to protect. It was often the mantra of my school that, and I quote; "We have no problem with bullying". Quite easy to claim when the common complaint from the bullied was they were the one's being punished for "reacting" or worse, "Not fitting in."
Not fitting in? Not taking part? Not for a lack of trying, children are cruel beings, and we forget that. In many ways they are far more cutting with their judgements than we are as adults. We know better, should know better, and even have the benefit of experience. We know what it's like to be children, or at least we should, we've been there. So why do we constantly ignore the responsibility thrust upon us as responsible adults and pretend things aren't as bad as they really are. And it's not a matter of being alert, it's a matter of brushing it under the carpet to save face or the ease of convenience.
Fuck that, I'm all for the tough approach. I'm all for fear when it's a necessary tool. After all what is jail time than a method of fear to prevent potential crime? Why is it bullies are treated with kid gloves? I find it rather sickening that the adults who's responsibility it was to prevent this tragedy, not only the school but the parents of the bullies too, appear to be avoiding responsibility for their inaction in their children's inappropriate behavior.
No, it's not cute when they behave like brats. It's not just something kids do. It's something we, as charges of our youths, need to take more responsibility for. Like punishing a child for even considering putting that fork in the electric socket for his own protection, there are some experiences it is best for a child to be aware of rather than to experience. Not only does the Prince family have to live with the loss of their daughter thanks to the pressure of these vile actions, but now the bullies have to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives that their actions lead to the suicide of a young girl not even having reached the prime of her life.
To easy is it to make a scapegoat out of these children, and they should suffer for what they did do not get me wrong, but to ignore our responsibilities and that of those we entrust their charge, is also tragedy we must be more aware of. A parent can have their children taken away for neglect, surely neglecting the way they treat others must also come with some form of retribution itself.
My heart goes out to all involved, the Prince Family and the bullies responsible. Whilst I hope the bullies never forget the harm they have done, I also pity them because we as a society failed to deal with a problem that for years has been way too prevalent and ignored for the sake of peronsal comfort.
Bullying is a problem, it's time we became more draconian in how it was dealt with.
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