Re: “Parents say child bullied by teacher, classmates” (TNT, 8-29).

The response by Peninsula School District in the Kopachuck Middle School bullying incident is very typical.

By definition, bullying is the intimidation, harassment, hounding or oppression of a weaker person – the process of intimidating or mistreating somebody weaker or in a more vulnerable situation. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office is investigating why this incident was not reported to it and Child Protective Services. However, this legal issue typically is not included in the mandatory reporting regulations.

Bullying is not taken seriously, as a societal problem, which is why …

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Re: “Parents say child bullied by teacher, classmates” (TNT, 8-29).

The Kopachuck Middle School incident should put us all on notice with regard to our own nature. If humans were perfect, we wouldn’t need laws. The very term “civilized” connotes the darker aspect, and consoles the better beast within us that we’ve made a good show of reining it in. Then this.

But why call it “bullying” or “hazing”? We’ve an older and better word for it: scapegoating.

The ancient religion of scapegoating has stalked us through millennia and is seeded in the birthing room of every human heart. …

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Facebook users who identify themselves as over 13 years old are allowed to gain access to the site. Almost everyone in my classes is on Facebook, and they describe it as an easy way of communication and a
helpful resource to get help on homework through communicating with classmates.

But I know that Facebook also serves as a medium for inappropriate content. Whenever I see harsh language or inappropriate pictures, it makes me wonder whether 13-year-olds should be allowed to have Facebook accounts.

I tend to believe that the age restrictions should be stricter. Clearly, with more than half …

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Public schools across Washington state have been striving to reduce and ultimately put an end to harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) among their students.

The original anti-bullying law (RCW 28A.300.285) was passed in 2002. In 2007, the HIB policy was revised to include electronic forms of bullying, often referred to as “cyber bullying.” In 2010, the Legislature amended the HIB policy, mandating school districts to not only have anti-bullying policies in place for each school, but to also implement model HIB policy and procedures.

The goal is to strengthen both policies and procedures for training teachers, students and staff on …

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Re: “Who failed to teach basic respect?” (letter, 1-20).

I wholeheartedly agree with the letter writer when he asks, “When will we as parents and society as a whole rise up and say ‘No more!’ to all kinds of violence, whether physical or emotional?”

What I disagree with is the manner in which he wishes to solve this problem. He and many others take the position that respect is something that must be taught, when he questions “who has failed to teach them basic respect and at least minimal capacity to identify with the feelings of others?”

When children grow …

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The outstanding and dismaying story on youth bullying (TNT, 1-16) raises the fundamental question: Who has taught them to find malicious joy in mean, hurtful acclivity directed toward their peers?

How is it that they find some kind of perverted pleasure in causing emotional suffering in another person? More important: Who has failed to teach them basic respect and at least minimal capacity to identify with the feelings of others?

Is this not the very same outlook that led to the recent shooting spree in Tucson? When will we as parents and society as a whole rise up and say …

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I understand the issue of bullying of gay adolescents coming to the forefront. I would like to remind people that bullying of kids for other reasons continues as well.

I was bullied my entire childhood until I graduated from high school. I was called names and threatened, had my bike tires flattened, was humiliated by kids and teachers, not because I was gay but because I had physical imperfections that made me different from the rest.

It was difficult, and I have never forgotten it. I am thankful for parents who were always there to listen. I was …

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I am the single mother of an 11-year-old who has been bullied since she was in the third grade. She works hard at school and always has good grades, even receiving an award from President Obama last year for academics and citizenship.

You would think a child like this would find school enjoyable, but that is far from reality.

Elisabeth does not go to school in the mornings without apprehension and worry. She knows when she arrives, she will be faced with the cruelty and stress of bullying. The incidents range from taunting her about her clothes and make-up to …

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