Bullying

Anyone find it really ironic how at a time when bullies are a endangered species is also the same time when "cracking down" on bullying happens. When I was in elementary school I used to avoid certain areas and I wouldn't walk by a certain spot after school. I never got beaten up or had my lunch money stolen. Once I did get a kick me sign put on my back though. I think I also had no problems because I got along well with other kids. Right across from my school is a middle school and there is a gate that the m.s. kids use as a shortcut that cuts through my school. I would avoid that gate since the kids that came by would always look mean and tough and huge. There was a bathroom that was on a small hill that was semi secluded and it was where some tough kids would hang out. They never bothered me but I heard stories of how much lunch money they took or someone would get spit wads to the back while they used the urinal. I don't think anyone actually did get beaten up. I know some kids that did get noogies and wedgies. The world was a lot less politically correct so the teacher's aides at recess and lunch wouldn't watch the kids that well so we could get away with a lot of things. I remember there was a lot of pog playing behind a building and illegal pokemon trading when it came out. Middle school is when I actually ran into a honest to god bully. When I was in 6th grade there was a 7th grader that just plain didn't like me. He was only a little bit taller then me and I mostly just ignored him. Anyways my neighbor who was in 8th grade at the time must have told him something since he never really bothered me again after a certain time. Back then teachers wouldn't do much if you "told" on someone. If you told on someone then you might as well have the cheese touch like the diary of a wimpy kid movie. Nowadays teachers and teacher's aides watch the kids like a hawk. You can tell on someone anonymously and it will get taken seriously. You don't have to worry about walking home through a certain path. It is very different and it almost makes me feel sorry that the traditional bully is going the way of the payphone. Also in today's world any little altercation is quickly called bullying when it is not even close to bully like behavior. A true bully inspires fear and dread when you get close to a certain area