I have enjoyed reading this thread, it is therapeutic in some ways. I was bullied over a span of about 4 years beginning in the 7th grade. I think 8th grade was the worst point though, as I really had no friends at all because of it. I was in a large school, too. I was teased for being effeminate. I think that part of that reason was because I was a late bloomer as far as puberty is concerned for males. My voice and growth spurt did not happen until high school. I was called a , queer, a myriad of derogatory names associated with homosexuality. I was teased, kicked, spit on.
My saving grace, was my 8th grade English teacher. She was an older black woman, who was very intelligent. She would have mandatory detention for students that were being punished during the hour lunch period that we had. Since I had no friends, I would sit with her voluntarily during detention and eat my lunch and we would talk and eat our lunch together. I recollect that this occurred over a four month period. I had told my parents and told the students to please stop and leave me alone. I dont think that my parents really understood the severity of the situation, and the bullies of course, did not leave me alone. One day, it was just the two of us eating together (myself and my teacher), and I just broke down and cried. I explained everything to her, and she called everyone of those boys and girls into her room after lunch, and everything stopped for the last two months of the semester. I would still eat lunch with her, but she was my one true friend that year, and Ill never forget her or what she did for me. She is an Angel.
I think what was harder, was while I was teased in high school, it was never as bad as it was in 8th grade. It was very hard though, when I actually did "come out" as gay to myself later in high school of having to reconcile who I was, as opposed to the nasty names people were calling me. And of course, after you are out of high school, you realize that the world is a bigger place than the limited social atmosphere in which you were exposed during those years. There were times when it was so bad though, you just think that there is nothing beyond the grayness of it all. So, if you are a parent of a child that is going through it, encourage your child that there are bigger things in life than what goes on in school, even though it is a large part of their life at the given moment.
However, later on, I did manage to work at a job with one of the bullies, and the first thing that he did was apologize to me for the way that he treated me. He was the only one that ever did, and we are still friends. So, I even agree that bullies can change, too, if they have the an open outlook. I know that I am different because of it, I am introverted, and I dont make friends easily or have a large group of friends, but I am a bit reserved and enjoy a smaller group of friends, but maybe that is just my personality.
Anyway, just my input. I hope that it helps others, that's why Im sharing it....and, it kinda helped me too, talking about it....free therapy!
