Bullying

When we discuss bullying, I am reminded of the golden rule: "Do unto others what you want others to do unto you." This statement has another version: "Do not do to others what you don't want others to do to you."

Bullying is a common topic for everyone today. It is a sensitive issue that is now portrayed in Korean dramas. Korean dramas such as Revenge for Others, Weak Hero Class 1, and The Penthouse explore the topic of bullying. I am not sure if everyone is aware that bullying also happens here in the Philippines. Bullying in schools has not been exposed because the victims are not saying anything to their teachers or their parents. Even if there have been no reported cases of bullying, that does not mean it is not happening. Bullying is being dismissed as one of life's challenges if you are a student, which is unfortunate because it has an impact on the victim's development.

The golden rule has always reminded me that every action we take, whether kind or cruel, comes back to us. As for bullying, the kids who bully are doing it because they are also bullied. If the victim overcomes the bullying, it could either help them to be stronger or make them a bully to others, or it may affect their interpersonal skills in the future.

Lastly, it saddens me that some adults deny the fact that bullying is not happening in schools. In some ways, there are victims and there are bullies. Unfortunately, some do not make it an issue. I remember Choi Si Won saying, "Bullying is so common that it's viewed as normal, but it should never be." That is why I always believe that one should abide by the saying in Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you."