| Article Index |
|---|
| Ex-Friends Formed A Club Against Her |
| Read the Advice |
| All Pages |
Dear Malarie,
I'm terribly sorry to hear about this. People are acting incredibly badly, and they probably don't even understand how much they're hurting you, or how much stress they're putting you under. I'm also sorry that your parents and teachers aren't taking this seriously, because they should be. This is a lot for a kid to cope with by themselves - and it's the kind of situation that can lead to depressed feelings, an outcast attitude, and have long-term damage to self-esteem.
I strongly suggest that you print your letter to me, along with my answer, and show it to your parents. Explain that, while they might think this is just a "kids' thing" or a little "fight between friends" that is going to blow over, it is making your day-to-day life a living nightmare right now, and is probably affecting your desire to attend school, try with your schoolwork, and so could be affecting your very future.
You aren't guaranteed popularity at school, but it should at least be a place where you can go to learn, without being harrassed and decimated by evil rumors. Your school has an obligation to maintain a safe space for you, and to me, this also includes freedom from emotional harrassment and cruelty. Your school may have an anti-bullying policy that you could take advantage of, but it will be much easier if you have your parents support.
If you cannot convince your parents - and you must talk to them again about this - go straight to the school office and demand to talk to the principal. Explain your issue in terms of having a safe and stress-free learning environment, and ask what can be done to make that happen. Good luck with this.
