What's that line about an apple and a tree again?

So. Recently, there has been a lot about bullying and the terrible affects it has on it's victims. And I am truly sorry for those families who have experienced an unmentionable amount of loss because of it. And there has been talk of cracking down on bullies, and on the instatement of  no - tolerance policies at schools.

While I agree that the recent events in our country have created a need for change, I don't think we are looking to the right source for the change; in short, bullies and victims are created long before they enter the public school system.

My friend Adam, who's father is in charge of a potato roguing company in eastern Idaho during the summers, talks about 17 and 18 year old kids who get made fun of at work, and then who's mothers call and complain. What does this have to do with my above point? A lack of good parenting, or the decline of having two strong parents in the home, is resulting in a generation of attention - seekers, drama kings and queens, and a complete lack of coping mechanisms.

So the solution shouldn't be to make teachers with already difficult jobs have even more responsibility, but to shift the blame to the shoulders of those raising those children who come in either so unequipped to deal with the problems of life or so attention - starved they seek recognition in the worst places.

Thank you for your time.