How to Get Rid of a Bully?

I was talking to my co-workers about bullies and bullying and the current focus in schools. I mean, special classes and discussions and meetings. It’s almost as serious as the Don’t Be a Meth Head lecture. In the end though, it seems to be a little unclear to us old schoolers what exactly bullying is and how it should be dealt with.

My mom told me my entire life that if a boy or guy were bothering me, to kick him in the nuts (crotch, I believe was the exact term used. Mom would never say nuts). I don’t recall any incident that ever warranted this method of self defense…I do however recall a couple times when I should have launched the old foot of fury. To me, this is logical advice for a girl or small woman. Hell, I’d say that even guys deserve to use this tactic if the situation calls for it (though I wouldn’t tell anyone if I were one of those guys).

Unfortunately, I don’t think people tell their kids such things anymore. The kick in the nuts advice has been stored in the archives along with the kick a bad kid’s ass advice.

Don’t get me wrong, no one, not even a small woman, should be wandering around kicking crotches willy nilly. No one is condoning such a thing and that was never what my mom meant to communicate. The problem that my co-workers and I have is that the bullying training manual does not allow for anyone to defend themselves. If someone is giving you grief and calling you names all day every day a) is that bullying and b) are you allowed to scream leave me alone or you’re gonna get it (or whatever sounds threatening)?

Or…are your only options to tell or ignore it? Although noble, I believe therein lies the problem. There is strength in defending ourselves, whether verbally or other. There is a certain empowerment in being able to tell ourselves that we got rid of the bad guy on our own. Kids rarely tell because telling usually means more teasing or bullying. And everyone knows ignoring the bully just builds  up anger and hurt until you snap and do something ridiculous (like screaming leave me alone or you’re gonna get it. God, that’s lame.)

But, if someone is harassing you continuously and you defend yourself with “Yeah, whatever your mom’s on crack and is still fat,” well, I think that could probably shut them up. Or piss them off worse and then  you kick them in their nuts.

I’m just saying. The bullying curriculum doesn’t seem to be realistic. I haven’t decided yet which route I’m going with my daughter. Maybe a little of everything. Who knows. Now that I think about it Mom also said boys bother the girls they like. I imagine they would’ve been pretty surprised by a kick in the groin.

I don’t know.