Oh Goddammit Society

I had the thickest skin ever when the bullying started. I'd grown jaded about 5th or 6th grade and then my aggression issues kicked in about 7th grade. But I was taught that I shouldn't give my bullies the satisfaction of seeing me crack.

I was called a not very nice thing for days. A certain word that I still have issues with.

So I ended up bottling up all that rage and hurt. I stopped talking unless spoken to first. I poured the energy into my schoolwork.

I am still dealing with the emotional scars left behind even though I left my high school behind ten years ago. Words are powerful. Especially when fueled with emotion. Good or bad.

Being made fun of is one thing. But when your tormenters actively seek you out and you know you are helpless to do a thing against them. That is bullying.

 

Physical trauma is a thing we can ultimately quantify and deal with
Words can do far more lasting damage that is far harder to heal, thanks in no small part to that "don't talk about it culture" we love to stroke

 

When somebody with authority wants to avoid getting in trouble

 

To add to this, of course learning to deal with negativity in a healthy manner is important... but looking at a situation where someone is being abused (verbally, emotionally, or physically) and telling them to grow a thicker skin blames that person (the victim) rather than the abuser. Sadly this is exactly what a lot of schools do, and often how the world works. But that doesn't mean we have to perpetuate it really.

(not saying anyone in this thread was exactly doing this, just tossing it in)

 

Agreed. It's very difficult considering everyone has a different spectrum of stuff they can take before reaching a breaking point.

Though I always considered people that take constructive, well intentioned, polite criticism as being an attack as being oversensitive. Similarly, people who automatically, indiscriminately flip out on someone if they said something that was kinda bad/not the most informed opinion.

Like I said though, it also varies on the person. Although I would probably not be a fan of them if they did the above /shot

 

I do think it's vital that people learn how to discern context, people who can't tend to not have the best survival instincts, but I don't think they should suffer for lacking in a very specific skill

 

well I'm not going to post anything relevant to the current topic since everything I wanted to say was already said so

Hatok, you watch Brutalmoose? He's pretty awesome.

 

Yeah, I've even chatted with him a little when his forum was still active, really nice guy, kinda underrated

 

wow, looks like these kids don't understand that friendship is magic.

sorry