Later this month Demopolis students will learn more about the effects of bullying.

It’s a sad state of affairs that someone has to visit our school system and preach this message. Bullying is a part of growing up for most kids.

It shouldn’t be, but it is.

“Fat kids”. “Skinny kids”. Black kids and white kids. Hispanic kids. Smart kids and kids that lag a little behind their peers. “Ugly” kids and “pretty kids.” No one is immune.

But each and every one of the groups of children just named all have one thing in common: they’re kids.

No one should treat a child so poorly that they dread going to school, especially not another child.

Education is a key component of bullying. If the “Golden Rule” were instilled in more of our children, our society might be a lot better off than it is right now.

Bullying isn’t an acceptable part of growing up. Parents must teach their children to treat others how they would like to be treated and that if they see bullying, to intervene by finding an adult.

It’s not okay. Disrespectful behavior is unacceptable regardless of age and it needs to be put to a stop at its root before it’s too late.