Two Gay Men Raised A Baby And This Is What They Got

[zipplewrath]

31. they don't "understand"

I don't like the expression "the only thing they understand...".

Bullying comes from the perceived advantage someone has over another. That can be a physical advantge, a tactical one, or one founded in blackmail in some sense. "Counter threats" in any form may remove the advantage therfore removing the "inspiration" or foundation of bullying. Hazing has similar foundations. Someone "can't" resist so one can commit acts of aggression, pain, or violence without "risk" to ones self. If the "goal" of enduring hazing is removed, or devalued enough, the subject will cease to accept the abuse without resistence and the perpetrators will cease almost immediately. "Understanding" has little to do with it, other than the awareness that the advantage has been removed.

In the end most bullying is founded in poor self esteem in some sense and the reaction being the attempt to make others endure what they themselves feel internally. A tactical response is to counter threat or otherwise remove the advantage. A strategic response is to address the underlying self esteem problem.