I love working with children. I support a lot of causes that promotes children’s welfare and their well-being.  I firmly believe that if we empower our youth, they can be effective leaders in the future.

One issue that bothers me about children is “bullying.”  In fact, I have a running webinar that focuses solely on bullying – Stand up and Be Counted.  It’s primary goal is to break the cycle of bullying.

Bullying has gone so far that it has even kept up with technology.  I am sure you all know cyberbullying. Bullying also has a wider scope because it does not only occur in children but among adults as well.   But, what really is bullying?

The usual defense people would say when confronted on why they bullied someone is – it was just a joke.  It was just a prank. Not all jokes are funny. It may be offensive or degrading, specially when the joke attacks the person’s being.  His humanity and overall persona.

The aftermath of bullying is alarming.  Bullied people sometimes resort to suicide or, more common among the youth – campus shooting,  In a study conducted by a student from University of Washington, adolescents who experienced bullying reported greater access to guns than other youths.  It is their way of showing power, for once in their lives, be in full control.

Whether you are the bully or the one being bullied, both are in the losing end.  Bullies are attention seekers. They want to feel important and picking on someone less superior than them makes them feel powerful or big.  Bullies are bullies not because they want to be one. There is an underlying factor that made them who they are. A family problem may be one. For adults, a failed relationship.

Are all jokes funny? I don’t think so.  We can all have clean fun and good interaction with one another.  But instead of putting people down, lift them up. Boost their moral.  It feels good making others happy.