Bullying
It is shocking to turn on your local news to a story that a 13 year old girl, a seventh grader, committed suicide by hanging herself. As the horrific story unfolded on my television, the reporter explained that at the beginning of the school year the bullying began by a group of girls who put gum all over her locker and “vicious” words. It ended last weekend when these girls sent out a text calling this young girl a “slut” and saying she should not come back next year and forward this to everyone you know. It seems that after a year of this abuse, this 13 year old child could take no more.
I am so sad and angry, how did we get here? These are 7th graders! Where were parents? Where were the teachers, administrators? The parents of the victim said they do not blame the school, and do not want the bullies punished, saying they will have to live with this for the rest of their lives. I am not sure that is a punishment to these girls. I am not sure that their conscience will keep them from sleeping at night. Please do not tell me there is NOTHING we can do, and that “girls will be girls” and that this is the new face of middle school today. I REJECT THAT! Wake up parents, wake up educators! It is time we stopped coddling our kids and gave the some STRAIGHT TALK, it is time we stopped turning blind eye to cruelty and bullying in any form on any medium and calling it a “phase” and a part of growing up. It is time we stopped expecting someone else to stand up and speak for those being mercilessly taunted, and made a commitment to speak up.
My new book “Who’s in Your Social Network”, written for students about assessing their media intake and how it effects them, their character and their choices, is a helpful resource for parents and youth leaders to begin the “STRAIGHT TALK” and to have ongoing discussions with the students you love about Facebook, bullying, pornography and all of these critical issues. By the way, seventh grade is NOT to young to be having these discussions!
Join me in praying for Rachel’s family and the whole community as they deal with this loss and pain. May her death not be in vain.
http://www.kare11.com/news/article/975590/391/Bullying-blamed-in-suicide-of-13-year-old-Minn-girl
Pam Stenzel
Let's face it. Today's teenagers are in a whole new arena when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases.They're facing consequences that teens from previous generations couldn't even imagine.That is why it is so important to make sure that today's t...
Read more
Christopher Stefanik
Christopher has years of experience in youth and young adult ministry. He’s also a proud husband and dad of four. Chris has served at parishes in the East Los Angeles area and in Pennsylvania, and as the Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry for La Cro...
Read more
Molly Sanborn
Molly is 27 years old and from Minneapolis, MN, but it seems she finds herself elsewhere quite often. Some of her adventures include climbing the Great Wall of China, floating in the Dead Sea in Israel, going to Nationals for college volleyball, ridi...
Read more
Theater off the Cuff
COLIN HEARN and DAVID CHRISTMAN make up the energetic comedy duo. website: www.theateroffthecuff.com promo video: MDE112k.wmv Fee Range: $ 1500 - 2500 Colin Hearn was born in Lambeth, London in the United Kingdom. He attended the Guildhall School ...
Read more
Kathy Gowler
Kathy Gowler - author, conference speaker and co-founder of Closer: Moms and Daughters, has counseled hundreds of teen girls and encouraged moms around the world as they navigate the turbulent pre-teen and teenage years.Her "Help! I Have a Teen Daugh...
Read more
Scott Phelps
Scott Phelps has worked with youth in San Francisco and Chicago and each year speaks to thousands of teens around the country on the benefits of abstinence until marriage He provides training seminars nationally to help educators and parents effectiv...
Read more
Abby Ludvigson
Abby Ludvigson has been speaking to young people for over a decade. Combining teaching strategies she found effective as a classroom teacher, along with captivating illustrations, stories and technology, Abby engages young people in he...
Read more
Doug Herman
Doug has a very unique ability to draw you into a story. It’s not that he’s theatric...he’s just very authentic and engaging. Bio Nineteen years have passed since Doug Herman lost his wife and daughter to an HIV-infected blood transfusion. Since the...
Read more
