Reply #4: We are all responsible to speak up against bullying...

[azlatina]

This past Saturday we had our company picnic. I was at the same table as a co-worker and her family. Her 2 sons, one is 15 & one is 7, were bullying their sister, age 10, about looking like a boy. The parents were not saying anything to stop it. I overheard some of the comments & I asked the boys why they were saying those hurtful things to their sister. I told them it was wrong & that they should not treat their sister or anyone else in that way. The mom finally stepped in & yelled at them to stop. The older kid glowered at me but they both stopped bullying their sister. The little girl smiled at me. I started to use the word teasing to describe their actions but changed it to bullying because that is the appropriate term. When we use teasing to describe this type of behavior, we minimize the impact on the victim.