Though he is best known for his fascinating series CATHOLICISM, Chicago priest Fr Robert Barron also has a series of You Tube reflections. One of his latest was a brief reflection on the film documentary Bully. I have not seen it but certainly will because the problem of bullying, which has been around for centuries, is more often getting the serious attention it deserves.
Ironically, a talk against bullying by gay activist Dan Savage featured the speaker himself attacking Christians' beliefs with foul language; feeling bullied, Christian teens stood up and departed his rant. Alas, bullying is not confined to the playgrounds of grammar, middle and high schools. Accompanied by insulting and often obscene talk, bullying has entered into our politics. Mr Savage recently declared that he wished all members of a national political party 'f------g dead.'
Fr Barron recommends a book by Leonard Sax, BOYS ADRIFT, on raising males. Dr Sax says males do not raise themselves, that male mentors have to be present in their lives, challenging them and inspiring growing young men to come to the aid of the helpless [to name just one aspect of mature masculinity]. When there are no male mentors, how often a young guy can become a narcissist who attacks rather than protects another perceived to be weak or 'different.' Scratch a bully and you will discover a young man who is unsure of who he is and therefore angry and resentful. God bless those men, related or not, who reach out to accept, challenge, praise, and love the next generation into truly adult men.
-Fr. Patrick Dooling