Bullying

[Christopher M.]

Hi guys,
I decided to make a thread to talk about bullying. I could be like an agony uncle that you get in the newspaper ( except younger and cooler). So if you have any questions about what to do if your being bullied, post them online. I'll check here regularly so I will reply as soon as I can. Or you could write your views on bullying or bullies.

Bye,
Chris

[dkidd]

Very interesting and much under-rated topic Christopher. I too will watch this space and respond any way I can to issues that arise. If anyone needs to talk about this and doesn't want to discuss it on the forum they can personal message me or talk to me in the club.

[Christopher M.]

Great, the more people we have checking here the better.

[philliptwyford]

Hi Christopher,

Nice thread. As I have mentioned in some other threads I started Martial arts 22 years ago becuase of bullying. My self confidence and feeling nervous all the time was a constant during my early years of secondary school. Once I got some belts under me the way I carried myself I learned to put value on myself and to pat myself on the back for my achievements. The key thing I want to point out here is that I never used my training to take physical revenge on my tormentors. My training gave me the confidence to walk tall and to not be verbally intimidated. Once people saw that I was not an easy target ironically they tried to befriend me.

I was lucky that physical bullying did not happen to me and if this was the case obviously my physical training would have come into play. Bullying is an appalling thing to happen especially to a young person as it can damage confidence at an early age. Teaching kids how to carry themselves and walk tall and access a bullying situation is so vital and I think MA can do this once the focus is not primarily on the physical option.

Thanks
Phillip

[dkidd]

It has been proven that all Martial Arts training improves peoples attitudes towards bullying. However when it comes to young people physical self-defence training can also cause more problems than it cures. The physical training needs to be backed up by a sensible approach to self-preservation rather than a counter aggressive attitude. It has been found in sociological studies that the risk of bullying is greatly reduced if the potential victim is integrated into a group of like minded friends (not a gang but rather a group of friends, football team etc.) There is great strength in numbers. Your martial arts training will however help you if all else fails and you do HAVE TO FIGHT.

[Christopher M.]

I have to agree with you 100%. The reason I think bullies actually get in to fights is because they can't take a slagging. One day, for example a bully threatened me and I just laughed in his face and he seemed to back down. So thanks for the advice. I don't really want to use what I learned unless my life is in danger. Bullies just act hard and eventually they just get beat up by the "weakest person" in the class .

[anominus]

I get bullied a lot but since I told one of the teachers the bullies seemed to back down. They even got suspended. But now they are getting their "courage" back and now there even threating me. What should I do?

[Christopher M.]

Dear anemones,
Let me start off by saying there is no such thing as a "rat" so keep telling on them and they will give up. Plus they might even get expelled. Trust me I know what I'm talking about as I used to get bullied a lot. What I'm trying to say is that don't let them get inside your head. And as for the treating, if it gets out of control a couple of heel palms to the face would set them straight. And if that doesn't work I'm sure Decglan will give you better advice.