The Backers

It takes a strong breed to stand alone. We are definitely capable of it, there is safety in numbers. That posse of people gives you strength, shoulders to lean on, ears to whisper to, someone to lift you when you are down. For some people it is power. “I belong,” is a great need for everyone. As quick as a posse forms, a scapegoat, a leader and followers emerge. That is how bullying is created. Preying on the insecurities of others, creating devastating and sometimes lifelong trauma.

Popularity comes at a price for many. Some just roll with it, if they walk away, they become a target. That is the mentality. Bullying is not always physical. Being excluded, targeting a persons looks, insulting and intimidating repeatedly is bullying and harmful. Often because it isn’t physical it is ignored by parents and adults involved with the bully. Sounds rosey until the tables are turned. Top of the food chain can switch in an instant. The topic of bullying creates divides. What bothers one child, can be ignored by another. A derogatory nickname, telling untruths to exclude or cause disharmony between people is something grown people will not ignore, but allow in kids as some sort of growing right of passage.

If someone treats you poorly we walk away from toxicity in our lives. That group mentality that you pine for your child to belong to, can also be the group that shoplifts, tempts your child to do things that would not be within the standards that you expect. We need to model behaviour to make changes in this world. We need to talk with our kids often and we need to take certain matters very seriously. Kids are committing suicide younger and younger. That is no joke. Kindness matters, respecting each other, and celebrating each other is needed to become awesome adults. Make a difference!