Being Different
A Story about Being Bullied
When I was in primary school, I fit in well. I used to get invited to lots of parties and always had a cool amount of people at my own birthday parties. I was always surrounded by people to play with during breaktime. I was a happy girl. However, in secondary school, especially now that I’ve begun Form III, things have changed.
While I am still into cartoons, computer games and running, every other girl in class is interested in going out, impressing boys and generally very much into their appearance – their hair, weight and the way their bodies are changing. I feel like everyone around me is changing and growing and that somehow I’ve been left behind. I feel miserable and lonely.
Yet, I still don’t feel ready to go out with my classmates and I don’t feel confident enough to speak to boys. I am really scared and embarrassed about how my body’s changing.
Unfortunately, the others are noticing this and I find myself alone in the playground more and more often. I hate the time between lessons most, because that’s when the girls get out of their places and start talking about last weekend or the next one, while I sit at my desk, waiting for the teacher, obviously alone. Sometimes they start whispering in groups. Soemtimes I catch some looking my way and sniggering at me. It’s not the first time I’ve been asked if I’ve ever had a boyfriend, even though they know the answer. Sometimes I say ‘no’ and sometimes I walk away. Whichever the case, I’m teased. A girl even told me I’m too ugly to have one.
I was invited to join them out, a few times, but I didn’t wear the same style of clothes the others wore, and was very quiet around boys. I was very self-conscious. Some of the girls later said that I wasn’t cool enough to hang out with them; that I was too quiet and shy; that my appearance and behaviour was nerdy.
I don’t think I’m a nerd though – I just honestly believe I’m not ready yet, and have different interests for now. I don’t feel I’m missing out. I don’t want to make an effort, or to hurry, to be someone I’m not. I know there must be other girls like me out there… Could you be one of them?
Things to Think About:
- Have you, or someone you know, ever been teased, left out, hurt physically, or bullied in any other way?
- If you, or someone you know, have been bullied, what was the experience like?
- How did you, or someone you know, get through the experience of being bullied?
- Have you, or someone you know, ever bullied someone?
- How do you think a bully feels?
- How can someone stop bullying?
Reporting:
Other Online Links
- https://fsws.gov.mt/en/appogg/Pages/support-line-179.aspx
- https://childwebalert.gov.mt/en/Pages/dashboard.aspx
- http://www.police.gov.mt/en-us/cybercrimeunit.aspx
- http://www.kidsmalta.com/articles/view/583/Safe-Internet-Access-for-Kids.aspx
- https://www.facebook.com/SayNOtoCyberBullying/timeline
- http://www.sundaycircle.com/2012/02/teens-and-the-tangled-world-of-web/
- http://www.kidshelp.com.au/kids/information/hot-topics/staying-safe-online.php
- http://www.bay.com.mt/top-stories/1599-air-malta-backs-89-7-bay-s-stop-hate-campaign-with-a-powerful-video.html
Bullying at school
CONTACT INFORMATION
Service Manager
Education Psycho-Social Services
Triq Fra Gaetano Pace Forno
Il-Ħamrun
HMR 1100
View map
Telephone
2123 3698 / 2122 5285
Email
studentservices.mede@gov.mt​​
