Well my friends, last Friday only confirmed my belief that we have a growing epidemic in our schools. No, I am not talking about teen sex, gangs or drug use; all serious challenges facing our children today.
No, I am talking about BULLYING!
Now, I know bullying kids has been around forever; heck, I was subjected to bullies and harassed at least a dozen times growing up. Fortunately, I had a father who served in the Navy and took up boxing while serving in WWII. He taught a me few moves that I eventually relied on when I got tired of getting intimated and picked on. Yes I won a few fights, but I lost more than I won. However, the bullies never bothered me again once I stood up for myself.
Fast forward to 2009, and I am here to tell you that bullying is even worse today than it was when I was growing up.
Recent studies indicate that approximately 1/3 of all children going to school will face some form of bullying by the time they reach highschool. In truth, I believe the number is much, much HIGHER, because kids are still afraid to report it.
Friday, I was invited to hold a bully workshop at a local middle school and taught two classes of 6th grade boys. Consider these statistics:
Class 1: 7 out of 11 boys reported being bullied
7 out of 11 boys admitted to bullying someone else
Only 3 of the boys reported it to an adult
Class 2: 24 out of 25 boys reported being bullied
6 boys out of 24 admitted to bullying someone else
Only 5 of the boys reported it to an adult
It was very clear to me, that those boys that admitted to bullying someone else, acted as if it were some kind of "badge of honor". Of course, their grins disappeared as I shared my belief that kids who bullied don't really like themselves, pick on others that are weak to try and make themselves feel better and generally are unhappy and sad!
When I asked some of the boys why they never told anyone they were being bullied, the 3 most common responses were:
1. "I don't want to be labeled a snitch."
2. "I am afraid if I tell, the bully will get mad and hurt me!"
3. "The teachers don't really do anything when we tell!"
PRETTY SAD IF YOU ASK ME!
For the remainder of each class, I talked about body language, being alert, using their eyes, offered solutions to avoid conflict, and talked to them about the power of their voice.
I know bullying is a big issue in the schools, because some of my own students have to put up with it. I am sure if you ask the students in your school, you will have at least one child struggling with it.
What's ironic, is the school district knows they have a growing problem, but the teachers, resource officers and administrators, don't really know how to address it. The focus in these schools is on fighting! There is very little focus on prevention and protection of these children.
Of course, the penalties for fighting are severe and in most instances, the "victim" gets punished for trying to defend themselves. Talk about DOUBLE Jeopardy!
As martial art's owners, I feel we have a responsibility to lead the fight against this issue. Let's show the community that we are TEACHERS, not just martial artists!
Anyone with me?
Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio2000 Clemson Road
Suite # 9
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
