Recent behavior of bullying towards bus monitor Ms. Karen Klein has ignited an outrage nationwide and in the community of Greece, N.Y. Parents, media, community members and other kids are talking about how these middle school students could have done such a thing to this grandmother of eight. This story has taken a life on its own and makes yet another teachable moment for all parents in our communities to take part in.
As you could imagine, the parents of these children are probably embarrassed at this situation. If you have seen the video as I did, you can hear these individuals saying mean things to Ms. Klein and lacking the respect of another human being, and I too would be infuriated. Your first reaction to this video is disappointment, anger and so much more, but then you start to think, “Have these kids been taught the value of human kindness?” You might think not, when they are saying such things and finding it amusing enough to post on social media.
This situation demands parents to stop playing house, check your children, and allow others to correct your child in a respectable manner. It is imperative for us to teach our children to accept and value the respect other human beings. What does that mean? Well, go back to the basics of teaching our children to say “yes, ma’am,” “yes, sir,” “thank you,” “please,” and of course, not talking back to our elders. These young boys clearly did not understand the respect for Ms. Klein or they would not have taken part in this act. Although one would say they are paying for it by its national attention, it was still a poor judgment on their parts. I hope and pray that they have fully accepted their actions and are apologetic about their roles in this disturbing video.
I remember when I was young, if I ever did such a thing there would be consequences. It is time that we take control of our homes and raise them as we were taught. As parents, we have to be the role models for our children and begin to demonstrate respectable behaviors towards our own peers so our kids can do the same. Children only emulate what they see in their surroundings, and although we can not be with them in every moment, they should know enough not to get involved in foolishness. Bullying is a behavior that lacks guidance and love, and sometimes as parents we can’t see some of the things that we are doing to make our children whole. The Ms. Klein story tells me that we still have more work in progress at home and in the schools. I know right now the students and their families have been harassed terribly. Some say they deserve it, but the reality is that all we are doing is yet again showing that the only way to rectify things is to bully one another. We have to find a way to show our kids that words hurt and this is not acceptable behavior.
Recent behavior of bullying towards bus monitor Ms. Karen Klein has ignited an outrage nationwide and in the community of Greece, N.Y. Parents, media, community members and other kids are talking about how these middle school students could have done such a thing to this grandmother of eight. This story has taken a life on its own and makes yet another teachable moment for all parents in our communities to take part in.
As you could imagine, the parents of these children are probably embarrassed at this situation. If you have seen the video as I did, you can hear these individuals saying mean things to Ms. Klein and lacking the respect of another human being, and I too would be infuriated. Your first reaction to this video is disappointment, anger and so much more, but then you start to think, “Have these kids been taught the value of human kindness?” You might think not, when they are saying such things and finding it amusing enough to post on social media.
This situation demands parents to stop playing house, check your children, and allow others to correct your child in a respectable manner. It is imperative for us to teach our children to accept and value the respect other human beings. What does that mean? Well, go back to the basics of teaching our children to say “yes, ma’am,” “yes, sir,” “thank you,” “please,” and of course, not talking back to our elders. These young boys clearly did not understand the respect for Ms. Klein or they would not have taken part in this act. Although one would say they are paying for it by its national attention, it was still a poor judgment on their parts. I hope and pray that they have fully accepted their actions and are apologetic about their roles in this disturbing video.
I remember when I was young, if I ever did such a thing there would be consequences. It is time that we take control of our homes and raise them as we were taught. As parents, we have to be the role models for our children and begin to demonstrate respectable behaviors towards our own peers so our kids can do the same. Children only emulate what they see in their surroundings, and although we can not be with them in every moment, they should know enough not to get involved in foolishness. Bullying is a behavior that lacks guidance and love, and sometimes as parents we can’t see some of the things that we are doing to make our children whole. The Ms. Klein story tells me that we still have more work in progress at home and in the schools. I know right now the students and their families have been harassed terribly. Some say they deserve it, but the reality is that all we are doing is yet again showing that the only way to rectify things is to bully one another. We have to find a way to show our kids that words hurt and this is not acceptable behavior.
As Ms. Klein’s ordeal brings attention to the epidemic of bullying that we hear all so often all over our country, what do we do about it? Are parents talking to their children about bullying and what pain it causes, or are they ignoring it until it is too late? I know that Ms. Klein has received an overwhelming of donations and I feel that is great, but we can’t forget that bullying occurs and that it is happening so close to home. Parents, let’s begin to talk to our children from the time they’re young about the respect for another human being.
Luva Alvarez is a Greece resident.
