Alex,+Ashlei,+Jr

Background: This is an article about a 13 year old sixth grader, Gabrielle Jackson, who was suggested by her school to get breast reduction surgery to fight bullying. Naturally, Gabrielle's body has gone through the physical changes that all girls go through once they hit puberty. Unfortunately, this middle school student is constantly bullied around campus by her peers because of her quick development in breasts and was told to get surgery by Riverview Gardens School District. Her mother, Tammy Jackson, expresses her disappointment:

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Questions: What is your initial reaction? Should Gabrielle get a breast reduction surgery? Is it right for the school to suggest something like this to a sixth grade? What message are they sending through this suggestion about girls to both girls and boys and the bullies? Are there other solutions we can do to prevent bullying? Are there things that can be done to further educate students about bullying and its immorality?

Alex's Response: After reading this article, I was very shocked at the fact that the school even suggested to a 13 year old to get an operation to reduce her breast size instead of finding another solution to prevent bullying. It doesn't seem right to me that they find this as the only option to correct the bullying. It says in the article that a woman from the Riverview Gardens School District said Gabrielle //"could be transferred to another school from Central Middle School, or go under the knife."// Doesn't it seem more logical to make the bullies leave the school instead of the harassed student? Why should Gabrielle correct something that God gave her? It is definitely sad to see society deal with an issue with little thought, instead of attempting to fix these kids who bully Gabrielle.

JR's Response: This article was very shocking. Many of the articles we have read in the past related to appearance, but this topic is more personal. I can understand bullying because I have seen it first hand from the male's perspective, but I never knew that girls could take bullying to this extreme. Bullying goes hand to hand with power, and it has become a theme that everyone wants it. I am disappointed with the school and its choice to approach the girl instead of the bullies. Why make Gabrielle change schools, when they can just kick out the bullies? Breasts is a sensitive topic, but I feel that Gabrielle should not go under the knife. The school should protect her and not chase her away. Parents and teachers must come together and help prevent bullying because that is the evil in this drama.

Ashlei's Response: I was shocked and really disappointed after reading this article. Everyone "grows up" at their own rate. I think it's sad that Gabrielle is being teased and bullied about something she cannot control. I also think that it was inappropriate for that woman to say that she should go under the knife in order to not get teased about her chest. She is only in sixth grade! Seriously? I think that the students at the school should be educated about how each one of us is different both in personality and in physical growth. I think this whole situation is sad, and I feel really bad for Gabrielle and her mother who has had to deal with this situation.