Does bullying build or destroy character?

Question

Bullying has been around forever. The majority of people in the world have been bullied (bullied meaning teased, beat up, harassed in any way) by someone. Its argued by some that bullying can build character, it can teach someone to have 'tougher" skin. Its said that if someone is bullied it teaches them to not take things to heart, but if we look at the more recent years bullying has lead children to commit suicide and school massacres. So what do you think, does bullying build or destroy character?

Belleza · Accepted Answer

I hate bullies - I have been bullied all my life - people bullied me just because of who and what I represented - meaning my religion and where I come from plus I was the quiet, outcast, shy girl who never liked to talk and that was a like a mark against me - I really don't know why - I mean I am minding my own business and here comes these douche bags who start harassing me and next thing you know jump me just because they heard what religion well half of what I represent - called me names, abused me - physically and mentally yea life was tough but it never build my character there were days when I wanted to slice my veins - people abused me to the point of where I could not stand it anymore - one time I almost got raped - that was fun! After that I started taking self classes - I grew up poor so we really couldn't afford karate classes - not to mention the clothes so I learned how to take care of myself and then I closed up and finally people left me alone and it is funny up to this day I still hate mentioning what my religions are and where I come from - it sucks but I still get judged without people knowing who I am! So no it never build my character just an outer layer of extra skin - I became more pessimistic which sucks like hell but then went to college and am happy - I love to learn so things that I have never heard of are building me - it sounds odd but that is how I learn to be happy! By discovering limitless(ness) amount of knowledge!

dll16634 · Accepted Answer

The thing with bullying is that people have utterly distorted what it is and in turn corrupted it's necessary purpose. The thing is that if there wasn't bullying humans wouldn't be where we are today.

We use bulling to enforce the need to commit to social norms, ad least in the male population.

The problem is when we have these young kids looking to lash out at others so they "Bully" other kids. That distortion of the purpose is why we have all these lawsuits and sh*t, not bullying as it should be.

If no one was bullied we would have utter chaos and crime everywhere. Kids should bully others who act like dumb f***s; if not they will grow up thinking that its cool to be crazy as hell.

If a kid reacts and f***s up a "bully" though chances are that bully was just being cruel and had lost the purpose he should have had and deserved it

Camilus · Accepted Answer

I still don't know why there aren't more lawsuits when it comes to bullying. When I have kids, if they are bullied to that extent at school I will hold the kid's parents, teachers and principal legally responsible. I may or may not win any damages in a court of law, but I will be such a huge prick that I'll make them want to shoot themselves in the face rather than deal with me, and that alone will probably get things done.

Anyways no, I don't think bullying is necessary to build character. I think there are many other, more productive ways to establish a child's personality than to treat them like a piece of sh*t. And obviously if it leads to school shootings and suicide like you said then it doesn't sound that productive. If you want to teach them life skills then enroll them onto sports teams or other extra-curricular activities.

theacefospades · Answer

Of course it does. IF it's handled well by the parents and such.

Being bullied made me what I am today.

High School didn't teach me much. But what it did teach me was that the world is full of bitches and d***s who have no other purpose than to make you miserable. And that I had to hit back to get em off me.

Without that I wouldn't be able to trust myself with anything. And without trusting myself I can't trust anybody

beastman88 · Answer

bullying is for assholes whos only outlet in life comes from harrassing others to make them feel better stronger then somebody else, to try and makeup for their own short comings. in the end it solves nothing, making the person eventually realize how meaningless and droll their lives actually are.

i was bullied for a bit, but I fought back, probably with about 3 times the ferocity I was given, I was never bullied again. I didn't go around abusing my power though because iam not an asshole. but I will be an asshole if you try and get on my bad side. assertiveness is good, so people won't treat you like a doormat

ihatework · Answer

for me being bullied built character with time. it was deflating in the earliest stages but after it ended I came to understand that that's the way the world can be. I wouldn't let anyone ever push me around now because I realize that they are the ones who are truly cowards. unfortunately some people let it get to them to where suicide becomes the only viable option. in the end it depends on the individual, I had no help in my situation as my parents didn't even know about it.

Asailum · Answer

I think it really depends. In the case of kids bullying ,they are usually being cruel (human nature).

There is however a type of bullying that adults do on their kids to make them stronger.There's even a whole science about it and some guy wrote a book called "provocative therapy" where he would bully his patients out of their problems.

So anyways, I think it can do both, depending on HOW the bullying is done.

Blackkid2011 · Answer

No, it doesn't build character, I didn't even know people still believed in that nonsense. It's not even debatable, since when has any form of harassment built anything but fear, mistrust, and hate?

Ezmotts · Answer

It definitely built mine, someone better think twice before saying sh*t to me.

cyrus7 · Answer

I think it does both, speaking from personal experience

short term it destroys you.. like crushes you... but in the long term it builds who you are and in my opinion actually makes yo stronger and thicker skinned for the future

watuneed · Answer

I think it does both... while it can make you stronger and more determined to succeed I think it also creates a lot of self doubt and anxiety that you continue to face, worrying about what people think about you or might think about

Does bullying build or destroy character?

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