It’s our responsibility when what we own causes damage to other people’s person or property … no matter if it’s a car, a dog or a child. So parents are responsible for the bullies in their family. The group of boys, who harassed the 10-year-old who hung himself, needs better parenting.
As a kindergartener, I was beaten by a first grader on the way home for lunch. My mother phoned the principal. She disciplined Russell by delaying his departure 15 minutes, allowing me a head start toward home. It worked.
Years later, I spoke to four mothers whose girls ganged up on our third grader. That bullying stopped as soon as the adults got involved.
Sylvia Bumiller
Oak Park
