“Honestly, bring bullying back” Her narrowed eyes were glued to the jarring bright pink and green outfit combo, her lips pulled back with a menacing sneer, and her nose twitched upwards ever so slightly - as if she had sniffed something bad. As I lifted my head to the slightly plump girl, walking by the table innocently I internally winced in sympathy for her. Sloane continued, “This type of behaviour should be bullied out of kids before they reach this grown age.”

I looked down, staring intently at the soggy eggs before me. But, her comment - although not uncommon for her - made me think: should we bring bullying back? Although painful, traumatic and potentially life-threatening, could it help shape the child up for a better future? 

In the perfect world, the answer is clearcut, bullying is evil. Full-stop. However, in the dynamic and ever-so-titular world of high school, won't one do anything to be the one on top? Even if this meant enduring bullying for the years prior? The answer is “no”, but for perhaps that 1%, they might waver.

Maybe one could look at bullying as a form of education of sorts, a horrifying corporal military-esque education, but one nevertheless. There, you learn and unlearn behaviours, the dos and don’ts of socialising. DO wear that super cute miniskirt to school; DON’T wear thick-framed glasses and metal braces to school. Four years of middle-school bullying, and then you're all set for a glorious 4 high school years - your glory days (before you graduate and realise it doesn't mean anything in the end). 

At the end of the day, bullying teaches you social skills. But, there are other ways of doing this - no one needs to take the most rigorous route of education, with a 99% dropout rate, and only a 1% rate of effectiveness. The phrase “bring bullying back” has been coined, and used. It has been commented on posts, whispered in hallways and so on. But no one seems to understand the definition of bullying. 

Imagine holding a giant hammer. In front of you, there is a wall made of foam. Behind the wall, someone is crouching down, hands over their heads and shivering uncontrollably. You hold the giant hammer over your head, and then… you bring the hammer down over and over again. After the first hit, the wall is already down but you keep going, over… and over and over again. To me, that is what bullying is. It is destroying someone over and over again, mentally, and physically. 

As a bully, you're not a hero for triggering a caterpillar transformation in your victim. They will not magically become some sort of indomitable spirit, they will become a shell of the person they were before. In fact, as a bully, you are reinforcing a sense of conformity, “educating” (or trying to) a person on how to become another you. Asking to “Bring back bullying” to build character is just another way to justify one’s vile personality. Although you might not like someone’s top, there is no need to ask society to move backwards to justify you ripping them apart for wearing it.

Bullying, although shown in different ways, is still around. You are no longer cool for shoving that book-carrying nerd in the locker but will be for pointing out the acne on another's face. And, you definitely would incite some laughs by saying “Bring bullying back” as you make someone feel small for pairing their favourite shirt with their favourite jacket. Trust me, I have witnessed it. 

In that 1% chance, your victim becomes the Heather Chandler of their high school, they might thank you when they win Prom Queen. Probably not though. But at least your name will be mentioned to their therapist!