[Deleted. Off-topic.]

I was hoping that there might be some serious discussion about the causes of bullying and what we should or could do to combat it. Instead we get a rush of male posters claiming victim status for men - at a tanget at best to the article.

Bullying is certainly a problem on this forum which I have to confront as moderator, but which I hope others also confront via the opportunity to report suspect posts.

One of the issues that I confront is that I don't think a world without bullying is possible, or perhaps even desirable. To be involved in the world you need to have a certain resilience, and how do you get that without practice?

Graham "I was hoping that there might be some serious discussion about the causes of bullying and what we should or could do to combat it. Instead we get a rush of male posters claiming victim status for men"

I get what you are saying but once again it's another piece which seems to have loaded examples (although at least the first one has one female perpetrator).

The pattern from those who talk about "women and their children" never seems to include male victims or make any attempt to look balanced. There is enough coverage of the stats on child abuse, violence against men etc on other threads but the pattern of gender bias in the commentary from those who should be making some attempt to look even handed is well past it's use by date. As has already been noted, we are told how much violence against women and their children costs, why does that have to be a gendered example? What does violence against parents and their children cost this country each year? Does anybody know what violence against men and their children costs this country? If not why not?

It would be great to have a good discussion on the issues raised, in my view the response you refer to is a reaction to an ongoing campaign of harassment and bullying by some who should know and do better.

R0bert

OK Graham, what are the causes of bullying?

Firstly as schools it is part of the growing process, sadly though the activity tends to get encouraged rather than discouraged.

What I mean as part of the growing process is that children are trying to learn and discover what the rules are. Brothers and sister will bully each other.

On another level children are mimmicing the behaviour of their parents or significant adults. Trying to discover what works and what doesn't.

It can be about status, who occupies the highest 'social position'.

There are some extremely mean and nasty people, who do pass their genetic code onto their children.

Female bullying tends to be much more covert as research shows.

Peter Hume.. Hi 5 !

Yes.. the "Human Rights' (aka "inHuman Reich") also get's it's money from discriminating against Christian groups.

Bullying was reality at my secondary school..it was SOLVED overnight by our PT teacher opening up one of the class rooms on a rainy day for BOXING..and he paired up bullys with others and they got whacked from here to kingdom come. *the end* of bullying :)

On a less violent side.... sueing school, teachers and bully's parents is the way to go.
Any government program should include a FIGHTING FUND for victims to do just that without going broke.

If there is no recourse to justice because of expense..you and begin the countdown from now until the first exasperated parent murders his son or daughters bully

some causes of bullying
- pride
- greed
- selfishness
- insecurity

Unfortunately all part of the adamic nature. Left undisciplined we breed violence and bullying. You don't need a phd in human behaviour to see the problem. It is atrocious to watch 2 year olds bullying their mums while often emasculated dads pathetically look on. In fact many academics like Spock have created this massive tide of bullying in our nation. You need to get rid of pc dogma and address family breakdown issues to get the answers. Moral relativism leads to 100 men sleeping with a 12 year old in Australia of all places. Then again moral relativism allows for any behaviour except conviction of right and wrong.. Just ask Singer and his disciples. The massive moral failure of the baby boomers has opened the door to a massive failure in society for people to treat others with dignity. The porn industry summarizes a woman's worth in many instances while our society admires the sporting high priests who have morals like alley cats. When we have a politician or leader who displays some moral courage we have the morally bereft media doing all in their power to criticize.