That's a bunch of BULL-ying...

Is bullying still going on these days? I mean wasn't that something that went out with the ice age? Who doesn't learn about how much damage bullying can do to another person? Who doesn't know this? And if they do, then why in the world is bullying still happening?

I came across a video clip from the other day's feature on Good Morning America. It was about a little middle school boy that joined his school's cheerleading squad. And, how he was so badly ridiculed and tormented that during one of the altercations, another boy threw him down and broke his arm.

Really, because this little boy wanted to be a cheerleader?

He didn't join the squad because he wanted to be girl or anything, but because he liked the tumbling aspect. He wanted somewhere to show off his back-handsprings!

I don't know...maybe I am missing something here. What is the big deal about him wanting to be a cheerleader?

You know I hear a lot of people (including in this video clip) say that "boys will be boys". Again, really? So boys will be boys...and that excuses their behavior? Wow, that is not giving much credit to the male population, young or old, is it?

I have some experience with boys...I have 4 of them (not including my husband) here at home. And, I also have a little girl. I got to tell you, that I don't see it. I just don't. I don't see them settling with being "just a boy". I don't see them give up things that might interest them or be afraid to talk about them for fear that people will make fun of them because of gender stereotypes. I just don't see it.

My boys have taken gymnastics, played with my daughter's dollhouse, and even scrap-booked with me. All stereotypically feminine. They also unload the dishwasher, help with laundry and babysit. Again typically feminine roles.

Not once have they been ridiculed. Or bullied. So maybe it's not the kids...huh? Maybe it's the parents creating the "settling" patterns...maybe instead of saying "boys will be boys" we say something like "you don't have to settle for just being any old average boy" be a leader,  (see my last blog) "A Leader of Good".

You know when you take the BULL out of bully....you just get "y". Why?