Peter Schiefelbein, Grafton, N.D.: Culture encourages, rewards adult bullying

GRAFTON, N.D. — While a law against bullying in North Dakota schools might help, the real problem is that our children are growing up in a society where bullying is not only accepted but also encouraged.

When politicians air ads painting their opponents as monsters, that’s bullying. When radio commentators cast slurs on anyone who disagrees with them, that’s bullying. When the financial industry demands bailouts with the threat that “we’re to big to fail,” that’s bullying.

We let our children be surrounded with examples of adults behaving badly and then expect them not to mirror that behavior themselves.

We may claim to be a nation “under God,” but we’re certainly not acting like it.

Peter Schiefelbein

Tags: in the mail, opinion, bullying, family, youth