Bullies are not born, they are made

EDITOR: No one was born a bully, but rather, many became bullies because of several contributing factors. Environment plays an important role in making someone a bully.

The environment at home and the neighbourhood, which includes the company they are associated with. When the home environment is bad, that is, there is hardly any discipline and guidance. This can lead a child to become a bully, since that child received little or no discipline at home, that child grows up having his way and being in charge in terms of getting whatever he wants. This can help shape someone into being a bully. The environment at home, should be an environment where love is given. Also, a place where a child feels comfortable and is given guidance with the parents being role models.

They must be taught how to deal with disputes and how to be respectful and appreciative of one another. Not a home where a child does whatever he wants to do and the child feels that he is better than others and also he is in charge. Also, the child must be taught the values of life and taking responsibilities, where also there is camaraderie at home and where parents would spend time with their children.

Sometimes a child comes from a good home, but at some point finds himself in the wrong company at both school and in the community. However, if that child was properly supervised, he would not find himself in most cases becoming part of a gang, either at school or in the community. Having said all that, there can still be a child becoming a bully due to bad influence at school.

We are living in a corrupt world. With social media and technology, it becomes harder on the parents to raise a good child. Many times these are the child’s influence because parents are too busy to spend time with the child. Sometimes, children do not feel free to express themselves for fear of abuse. Even in some cases, children are neglected and go through several forms of abuse. When these occur it can lead a child to have anger and would seek to become a bully as a means of showing that he is a man and is suppose to be in charge.

While we appreciate that there are several other factors that contribute to bullying it is important that Christ becomes part of the home. Our children need to be led to the Lord and we as parents need to be the role models in their lives in all aspects. In creating a healthy environment, prayer for and with the child should be top priority. But, how can that be top priority if as parents it is not top priority in our lives. I, therefore, urge us to make our home a healthy one and let love, peace, respect and the fear of God become part of our lives and homes. When we do so, we would not raise bullies for bullies are not born, they are raised and in many cases, the homes made them.

Kennard King