In my experience most bullies are kids without Dads. They dont have a male role model to teach them respect and not to disrespect their mother when they're back chatting her.

"I wish there were a way to make kids respect each other, and just be nice... but kids are people too, and there will continue to be the bullies and the bullied. Is it any different in the adult world?".......................Phred

it seems different-maybe it is just easier to cope with. as children we are so much more vulnerable and have no experience. if a child has no family support not only emotionally but someone with the power of reason in their brain, then they are in a very difficult position.

maybe the bullies have a lot harder time as adults because then their tactics dont work any more-they cant get along in the world using the only methods they know, and it is they who suffer.

when people grow up i think entire countries and governments become bullies moreso than individuals do.

Not to throw a monkey wrench or anything...... my dad was involved only as a weekly visiting dad these years... and I was the bullied kid... and I always held my mom in high love and respect... of course I know that you can never use too broad of a brush on any topic though... From what I've seen my 13 year old go through this past year, and my own experience as a kid, it's just a tough period of life. It's the period of initiation into society, and also a period where everyone is at some point in the process of puberty. In my case, as a male, the issues were mostly aggression based... while with my daughter, they were emotion based.

Yes you're right you cant tar everyone with the same brush but im talking about kids who dont have a male role model at all as opposed to having one even if it is just for the weekends, as you still have a male setting an example on how to respect people. Of course there are exceptions and this is only from my experience. Most of the bullies i've encountered have been fatherless, that's all, just something i noticed. Thanks.

I've found it necessary to grow a thick skin to that sort of stuff. Most people don't really play into your life at all, so you can pretty much say anything to them and they can say anything to you. In the greater scheme it doesn't matter. That doesn't mean you should be rude to everyone, that is irrational, it might turn out that the person could have benefited you or become a good friend.

Really, a random stranger doesn't mean anything. There are 6 billion more like him. Might as well be an ant until you get to know him. Once again, this still doesn't mean its at all rational to act as though he is an ant. All in all though, he might as well be a figment of your imagination until he gets physical, in which case you might have a problem.

When a kid says something is gay, he is not making an allusion to homosexuality being inherently negative, useless or stupid, the word has an entirely separate meaning and intent behind it. The word is essentially a knee jerk reaction to disappointment. I can however understand how it might play into the psychology of someone who is going through the realization that he or she is homosexual, and why said person would be offended. It would be a much more isolated and confusing experience than what is typical. The continual use of the word would probably make them feel alienated and possibly threatened.

When a kid says something is gay, he is not making an allusion to homosexuality being inherently negative, useless or stupid, the word has an entirely separate meaning and intent behind it. The word is essentially a knee jerk reaction to disappointment.

I can however understand how it might play into the psychology of someone who is going through the realization that he or she is homosexual, and why said person would be offended. It would be a much more isolated and confusing experience than what is typical. The continual use of the word would probably make them feel alienated and possibly threatened.

Why do you think this?

The use of "gay" as a pejorative must have some source, and I doubt that "gay" became a demeaning term as derived from the possible definition of "happy".
"Gay", when used as a negative adjective, is an allusion to homosexuality being negative - you certainly do not hear open homosexuals use the term gay in a negative sense as you so often hear young heterosexuals use the term.
And I completely agree with you here. This is the crux of the matter.
These complaints against political correctness are juvenile. Essentially, it amounts to people whining about having to be considerate of other people's feelings.But other people do have feelings, and each person has a responsibility for their language. If your language hurts other people, instead of blaming the victim of your crass talk, take responsibility and censor yourself: be mindful of present company. It's simple manners.

i think there has to be something wrong in society where a person resorts to suicide over name-calling. or why is it a person can come to believe being laughed at is the worst thing that can happen to him? (my father believed that).

People like Bonaventurian feel compelled to go on long-winded and half-baked tirades against "political correctness" because they don't have the courage to admit to themselves that their judgmental language is a symptom of their judgmental attitudes.

I wish there were a way to make kids respect each other, and just be nice... but kids are people too, and there will continue to be the bullies and the bullied. Is it any different in the adult world?

i dont understand the psychology of the bully though i did go through a phase of hitting back and i suspect it may be a different reaction to the same issues that those who are bullied also face. however, there is no counseling given to them and society tends to glorify aggression in usa.

These complaints against political correctness are juvenile. Essentially, it amounts to people whining about having to be considerate of other people's feelings. But other people do have feelings, and each person has a responsibility for their language. If your language hurts other people, instead of blaming the victim of your crass talk, take responsibility and censor yourself: be mindful of present company. It's simple manners.

i like your philosophy; you are fortunate to be so well-adjusted. can you explain why you turned out that way?

I do not see how speaking in a kind and courteous manner causes more problems than speaking without any concern for those who hear the speech.

Sounds like a blame the victim situation - as if it is the hearer's fault for being offended at offensive speech. No, it is the speaker's fault for being so selfish as to refuse to express himself by polite means.

There is no problem in speaking in a kind and corteous manner, there is a problem into especting that others will do =)

Being offended brings more problems for yourself than it does for anyone else.

i prefer not to be offended also, but in society it can cause problems. if one is called names and chooses to ignore the insults, they are often considered by others to be accepting the accusations. so what is the appropriate reaction? should the victim keep saying 'no, i am not what you called me' quietly without getting angry and hope for the best? maybe the bullies will get tired of the game. maybe it isnt necessary to worry about any other action unless they cross the line between speaking and doing.