This is an extraordinary documentary capturing intense and poignant moments. There are no psychologists or school counselors here to explain or elucidate the behaviour of these young children. The victims and events speak aptly, making commentary unnecessary.
It shows the children being bullied and the bullies themselves. The victims are suffering intensely and we can feel their anguish and their powerlessness – the bullies are mean, inflicting all manner of harm to those who will not oppose them. The parents try to cope and are puzzled, flummoxed and heartbroken by these outside events. They try to deal and help their children in their despair. The teachers and the schools are moderately concerned at best and incapable at worst. There is a stunning moment between bully and victim where the principal is pleading with the victim to forgive. Sometimes it just seems like the schools are merely wishing the problem to go away.
We listen to these young children speak articulately; they are well aware of their predicament, their victimization and their loneliness. For some, as the film illustrates, it is already too late. There are several suicides a year in schools across the U.S. (I am also aware that this happens in Canada as well).
I am thankful to the makers of this film for openly bringing to our attention this problem which is so ubiquitous in our schools. It is only in the last few years that it has started to be discussed and viewed as a REAL problem. When I was in school many years ago it was almost a taboo area and was certainly not a subject for serious discussion. It was something one was expected to adjust to and move on.
I am also grateful to those parents who are shown at the end of the film who have started a movement to denounce bullying; it is anti-social behaviour that should not be tolerated. Schools need to have safe areas where all can feel comfortable. The school bus would be a good starting point. Conformity, particularly in sports, needs to be re-examined. Making the parents, the school children and the school administrator and teachers aware of the problem must be a primary goal. This powerful and truthful film must be shown to all who work in schools.
It shows the children being bullied and the bullies themselves. The victims are suffering intensely and we can feel their anguish and their powerlessness – the bullies are mean, inflicting all manner of harm to those who will not oppose them. The parents try to cope and are puzzled, flummoxed and heartbroken by these outside events. They try to deal and help their children in their despair. The teachers and the schools are moderately concerned at best and incapable at worst. There is a stunning moment between bully and victim where the principal is pleading with the victim to forgive. Sometimes it just seems like the schools are merely wishing the problem to go away.
We listen to these young children speak articulately; they are well aware of their predicament, their victimization and their loneliness. For some, as the film illustrates, it is already too late. There are several suicides a year in schools across the U.S. (I am also aware that this happens in Canada as well).
I am thankful to the makers of this film for openly bringing to our attention this problem which is so ubiquitous in our schools. It is only in the last few years that it has started to be discussed and viewed as a REAL problem. When I was in school many years ago it was almost a taboo area and was certainly not a subject for serious discussion. It was something one was expected to adjust to and move on.
I am also grateful to those parents who are shown at the end of the film who have started a movement to denounce bullying; it is anti-social behaviour that should not be tolerated. Schools need to have safe areas where all can feel comfortable. The school bus would be a good starting point. Conformity, particularly in sports, needs to be re-examined. Making the parents, the school children and the school administrator and teachers aware of the problem must be a primary goal. This powerful and truthful film must be shown to all who work in schools.