An Argument for Home-Schooling
by MikeGeneIt remains unclear why Billy became a target at age 12; schoolyard anthropology can be so nuanced. Maybe because he was so tall, or wore glasses then, or has a learning disability that affects his reading comprehension. Or maybe some kids were just bored. Or angry.Whatever the reason, addressing the bullying of Billy has become a second job for his parents: Curt, a senior data analyst, and Penney, the owner of an office-supply company. They have binders of school records and police reports, along with photos documenting the bruises and black eyes. They are well known to school officials, perhaps even too well known, but they make no apologies for being vigilant. They also reject any suggestion that they should move out of the district because of this.
-Here
March 24th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Another argument against compulsory government schooling.
Comment by David — March 24, 2008 @ 10:24 am
March 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
You have no idea how close to home that hits. Today.
Comment by TomG — March 24, 2008 @ 11:38 am
March 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
"Most Men are Weak and Evil and Vicious" - John Adams
I think alot of people are just naturally viscious. Yet, there needs to be justice. The parents should sue the school system.
Comment by Observer — March 24, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
The attitude of the school is appalling.
Comment by The Pixie — March 24, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I call it an argument for boxing lessons.
Comment by chunkdz — March 24, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
LOL.
I was going to post this, but didn't want to detract for this article.
Right before high school started I got jumped by a large group of guys (7 out of 15). What prompted it was me standing up for a friend.
One of my friends was getting mocked by a bunch of kids on bikes (again, this is the summer before high school started - so none of us were legal to drive yet).
I simply said like, "Odd seeing a group of losers on bikes making fun of anyone…. what's this, your neat like bicycling gang?".
For some reason I just didn't think they would do anything. But they did.
A few minutes later, after more of their troops were rounded up, I was in the middle of the street getting kicked in the ribs, punched to the back of the head, stomped on…. while I was crawling around on all fours.
One of the kids made me an offer: kiss his shoe and they would leave me alone. I was just exhausted from the beating, so I did it. That was followed by a kick to the face.
I was pretty shook up for a bit. My mom decided to buy me a 100lb heavy bag. In a short order of time my punches were getting pretty crisp, the power behind the punch was increasing…. and I fell in love with boxing.
Not that this is the solution, but I also whooped a few of them before high school ended. One on one. I had a knack for keeping a fight standing. Sprawl if a tackle was attempted and then pick your shots when they throw looping haymakers. And most kids at that age threw looping haymakers. Easiest punch to see, easiest punch to block, easiest punch to counter.
Tom, I hope your child isn't getting picked on. If so, go the boxing bag route. It builds confidence, it builds cardio, it builds strength.
I can jog for 30 minutes, bust tail on an eliptical machine for 40 minutes…. but hitting a heavy bag with a constant rhythm? I don't know many starting out that can keep their hands/arms up, continuously throwing shots for more than 2 minutes. Again, hitting a heavy bag, delivering with some pop and doing it continuously.
Comment by Doug — March 24, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Or an argument for trying to get the student into a charter school. Did wonders for my grandson, who was picked on a lot in grade school. Drove him 40 miles to attend 7th and 8th grade at a charter, 15 students in his class and excellent teachers. By the time he went back to public high school, he'd grown a foot and had enough self-confidence to be "everybody's best friend."
I don't know why parents would tolerate this situation over a period of years. Yes, kids are very cruel. This boy's parents don't sound much better.
Comment by Joy — March 24, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Doug, great story.
Sorry to distract from the subject of the thread, but it reminded me of Teddy Roosevelt. He too took up boxing as a means of self defense and of building his body up from 98 lb. weakling status. Became quite good, too.
Years later, as a New York assemblyman, some political opponents hired a former boxing champ to bump into him in public, feign insult, then knock his block off - (supposedly as some kind of political payback.)
Roosevelt was characteristically well mannered when the collision occured, but after ducking the first punch his training kicked in and he took the ex-champ by surprise, knocking him out cleanly. Roosevelt later went to the office of the opposing political boss to thank him for the exhilarating workout.
If Roosevelt had simply gone to home schooling as a means to escape bullying, he would have continued to be bullied even far into his political career. I feel terrible for Billy Wolfe, but I do hope he stands up to those bullies rather than finding refuge in home schooling.
Comment by chunkdz — March 24, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
My character, for what it is worth, was forged from an environment in which I was bullied and made fun of.
What I cannot do, is say that I would be better off today if these things had never happened to me. They are as much a part of who I am as is the frequent church attendance to which I was "subjected."
So what is the real issue here, is it who we "ought" to be, or is it the method by which we "ought" to become who we are?
Comment by Mung — March 24, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
My character, for what it is worth, was forged from an environment in which I was bullied and made fun of.
What I cannot do, is say that I would be better off today if these things had never happened to me. They are as much a part of who I am as is the frequent church attendance to which I was "subjected."
It may very well build my character for my house to be burned down, my wife to be raped, and one of my children to die from tetanus from a knife wound. I might very well become stronger from such adversities, and become a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope to others. This, in no way shape or form, justifies anyone bringing such things upon me as an adult.
I don't worry about getting beat up or having my head shoved in a toilet on my way to work as an adult. And I'm probably more capable of enduring such things than my kids are. So why should I put them in a school where they are?
Comment by Wonders For Oyarsa — March 24, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
March 24th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I usually agree with what you say chunkdz but a few things need to be said. Bullies target vulnerable victims. They frequently operate in tandum with other bullies and pick on physically smaller and weaker people as a rule. Coping with bullies is a necessary skill. They are everywhere. However, the playing field is almost always slanted in favor of the bullies. That's why they are bullies. They lack the courage and integrity to fight for something worthy and against the odds. Picking on others is their way of coping.
What is really needed is a willingness of authority figures to take on bullies and their enablers. Sometimes it is easier (and more cowardly) to look the other way and avoid a headache. We need more stand up parents, teachers and others involved in the educational system.
BTW, homeschooling has an excellent track record. Its graduates are better educated and better adjusted than their public school counterparts.
Comment by Bradford — March 24, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
March 25th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Why should you put them in a school where they are not?
Does such a school even exist?
Would such a school where they "are not" make them "better" human beings?
How would you ever know?
Comment by Mung — March 25, 2008 @ 12:57 am
March 25th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hi Bradford,
From my experience, if you sock one bully right in the beak, they will all leave you alone. Instantly, you are no longer a vulnerable victim.
I am a huge fan of homeschooling. That's why I think Billy should take his lunch tray and smash it over the nose of the biggest bully he can find, (preferably with some jello and tater tots still on the tray), then go home and calmly tell his folks he's now ready to homeschool.
Comment by chunkdz — March 25, 2008 @ 11:39 am
March 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
chunkdz:
LOL. That would be a fit ending to the story.
Comment by Bradford — March 25, 2008 @ 12:25 pm