Posted by bluedog on December 10, 2002, at 0:10:40
In reply to Re: Social phobic/nerd/ shy person profile » Dinah, posted by IsoM on December 9, 2002, at 19:38:23
I think the seeds of bullying and the psychological problems that they can lead to are sown VERY early in life. (as early as in the crib)
I have seen studies that show that the so called "professionals" who care for us as babies, children and teenagers, and play a significant role in shaping and developing us into the individuals we end up being, have a lot to answer for!!!!
These "professionals" include Child-Care Workers, Baby-sitters, Teachers, Doctors and Nurses and even School Social Workers. In the time that I was growing up all these parties were either completely ignorant that bullying occured or were burying their heads in the sand because it was easier to ignore the problem than to actually have to deal with it. I honestly don't know whether they realised that they had a duty of care to prevent the bullying occurring or whether they actually understood the long term psychological consequences for the bullied (AND the bullies) and the ultimate outcomes on the general health of our society.
Whats more some of these "professionals" actually participate themselves in in the bullying process either overtly or indirectly (ie they can be accessories to the crime and therefore can be judged as guilty as the direct perpertrators). I remember a certain wood work teacher who used to take disruptive students to a back room and "slap them around" to pull them into line. I also remember a physical education teacher (I think you call them coaches in the US) that made us run around a local lake near our school and if you didn't make it around in under a certain amount of time they made you go again (which meant you were excluded from partaking in the fun activities like archery or basketball) It would always be the same poor overweight kids who couldn't make the run fast enough and I can't imagine how damaging these experiences must have been for their future mental well being (considering that they were already being bullied by their peers simply for being overweight).
From a more subtle point of view it has also been proven that the more charismatic, outgoing or beautiful babies get extra and much warmer and nurturing attention from nurses and baby sitters leaving the "odd" babies starved of love and attention. These professionals do not deliberately engage in this behaviour and it is completely subconscious but I believe it is still a subtle form of bullying that needs to be stamped out.
I STRONGLY believe that ANY professional who has any dealing or influence in shaping the development of children should have INTENSIVE training in recognizing the signs of bullying, learning how to effectively deal with the problem and also to recognise their own subtle behaviours in favouring the beautiful children over the quieter or less attractive children. Any professional who cannot deal appropriately with these issues does not deserve to be called a professional and should have their licences withdrawn or suspended until they have undergone remedial training!!
When this happens I believe we will end up with a much more caring and supportive community (it will probably take a several generations to happen) and the incidence of social anxiety/ shyness/ nerdiness will actually be reduced and we will all be accepted as unique but different individuals.
Idealistic???? Maybe!!!! (I agree there is always primitive human nature to deal with)......but why not give it a try and see what happens? I predict that there will be far less depression in future generations if this happens.
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:130982
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/131192.html