I don't think that bullying has become more prevalent, but I think there is much more AWARENESS of it. I DO think that bullying can take many more forms due to computers and such now.
Verbally bullying someone is different than physically, but I don't knwo tha tI would say it is a "different degree" of it. Unlike the saying of 'sticks and stones", words CAN hurt and I can see it sometimes beign worse than physically bullying someone.
I am a teacher and I do all I can to prevent this and teach empathy for others, ways to stop a bully, etc, but in many ways I feel my hands are tied. there are days when I think, "Short of putting duct tape over a child's mouth and tying him to a chair, how can I fully prevent this since I can't be there ALL the time?" Of course, I would never REALLY consider taping a kid's mouth and tying them up, but you understand my point (I hope!).
I know that the "bullying laws" are beign putin place to "hold the schools accountable", but I also wonder when PARENTS are going to be held accountable for theirs children's actions. I have had many meeting with parents where I know that my concerns, as well as my principal's, have gone in one ear and out the other. That just makes me mad! I am tryign so hard to raise these kids to be kind human beings and then their parents basically tell them it is o.k. to pick on others. How can I fight that?!?!
*sigh* sorry if this has gotten too far off topic, but it is obviously one that is close to my heart.