"Kids will be kids."

[blondeatlast]

Stop excusing the failures of adults by saying "kids will be kids." Of course they will--that's why they can't sign contracts, drive, drink alcohol, enlist in the military, or marry. Society knows that kids will make mistakes and we try to prevent them from being traumatic.

Excusing bullying behavior fails them. Teaching them that THEY are to blame for taking offense fails them.

Stop it, America. Think of the kids.

RANT OFF. Thank you.

[lightningandsnow]

1. It's always been my experience that kids who bullied were neither insecure nor lonely.

They were usually popular, with huge egos.

Bullies, whether they are children or adults, are not just misguided. They are enforcing dominant power structures, and we are letting them do it.

[Deep13]

3. Yes. There is a high degree of correlation between...

...high self-esteem and criminality. The reverse is also true. Low self esteem correlates highly with a lack of criminality. I think some bullies are also victims, but my experience has been that most were not.

Before anyone jumps on me for advocating low self esteem, please read it agains and notice I have not done that.

[Posteritatis]

5. I can buy that. (nt)

[Deep13]

2. Right. First, the victim has no duty to let bullies be bullies.

Second, what kind of people do these apologists think we are raising? Don't we have enough violent criminals and just general assholes in this country?

[slackmaster]

4. Sometimes kids are assholes, some kids are assholes all the time

Assholes will be assholes.

[Deep13]

6. Unless they're prevented or taught not to be assholes.

Children and teenagers don't have to like each other, but they do have to learn to treat each other with a modicum of humanity.

[Still Blue in PDX]

7. +10

[blondeatlast]

8. Some kids are racist, some kids are racists all the time.

Racists will be racists.

And authority figures have no responsibility to change that?

[slackmaster]

9. There's a big difference between racism and bullying

One is a state of mind, the other by definition involves some form of harassment.

[blondeatlast]

10. Not to the victims. And you neglected to answer my question to you.

I'm sure you simply overlooked the second line in my two line post, though.

[slackmaster]

11. Sorry, I was quick on the Post button

And authority figures have no responsibility to change that?

"Authority figures" can mean a lot of things, but actual authorities have a responsibility to enforce the law. Parents, teachers, etc. have a responsibility to help children grow up to be healthy, productive adults. Racism is not a healthy state of mind.

My point about racism is that a person can be privately a racist without victimizing anyone but himself or herself. When a racist acts out on his or her racist thoughts, that can create a situation that authority figures have some business getting involved in.