How to Combat Bullying
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How to Combat Bullying

Why Children Need Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

11
How to Combat Bullying
Kids BJJ

In the past, I have written articles on Mutual Combat, Participation Trophies, and the value of failing. In those articles, I always promised that I would eventually get around to writing one on child self-defense and bullying but I have yet to deliver on that promise... Until now! So, let’s get into this very controversial topic, shall we!?

Currently, there is a movement going on throughout our school systems to effectively crack down and end bullying once and for all. The movement has stemmed from zero-tolerance policies in which any child doing anything that remotely resembles bullying shall be suspended or even expelled from the school. As of late some districts have even started issuing fines to the parents of school bullies as a punishment for raising the little “tyrants.” As someone who was through most of my school life, it is somewhat nice to see some swift justice being done to the little bastards but we that is simply emotion and bad memories speaking, which is the exact same thing that these ludicrous policies are stemming from. People who were bullied in school trying to get revenge on a new generation of kids who are to be completely honest…just being kids. Now I am not forgiving bullying, bullies are cowards who verbally and physically dominate those smaller than them because it makes them feel powerful. If left unchecked these children will grow to be bullies as adults either in the workplace or in the home. So, my article is not necessarily aimed at arguing against the current measures being taken against bullying. Instead, I would like to submit what I believe is missing from the current system and what could be introduced that I believe would have a huge benefit for the children being bullied.

The current policies in place focus far too much on the bully and often forget about the one being bullied! When you enact policies that remove bullies from your public schools you may believe you are creating a safe learning environment for the rest of the students, and maybe you are, but you need to understand that the child who was being bullied was being bullied for a reason. That bully targeted that child from an entire classroom of kids because the bully perceived that classmate as an easy target (remember bullies don’t go after hard targets), if your only solution to the problem is to remove the bully then you are doing the bullied child a disservice because you are removing any opportunity for him or her to grow and develop. Humans respond to stress by getting stronger. Adversity is a necessary tool to develop resilience in children and even though I do not like bullies, I acknowledge that they are somewhat of a necessary adversity for children to overcome. That leads me to the next part of the problems with the current policy. If a child who is being bullied decides to defend themselves then they are treated the same as the bully by the school... I.E. suspension, expulsion, and parental fines. What kind of message does this send to the children? That it is better to lay down and be a victim instead of fighting to protect yourself or others? What kind of adult does that make? It makes weak skinned cowards who will continue to be timid or in the face of adversity overcompensate and become bullies themselves.

I understand that I am coming off strong right now but please hear me out further while I try to justify my point and offer an alternative method of bully prevention. If bullies are looking for weak targets, then we need to turn our children into hard targets that bullies will not want to get wrapped up with. How do we do this? I am personally an advocate that every child should be in some sort of martial art and that in fact, the school should provide these classes just the same as they provide wrestling. I may be a bit biased but I submit that more so than just learning a martial art, every child should be afforded the opportunity to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. BJJ is a perfect martial art for children because while it is physically demanding it is a relatively low impact martial art that does not involve punching or kicking but highly technical grappling. BJJ was in fact designed by Carlos Gracie to be used against much larger and much stronger opponents. In this way, BJJ is a perfect martial art to combat bullies who target smaller and perceivably weaker children. The ability for children to defend themselves is huge not only to combat bullying but to build self-confidence and mental toughness. Simply learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a challenge that children will need to overcome by developing discipline. It is also extremely fun and has a culture all its own. As a BJJ player myself, my only regret is that I had not started sooner!

I am not saying that we should not hold bullies accountable but we need to make sure that in doing so we are not raising a society of victims and weaklings.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

20706
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

948140
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

124890
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments