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Is "Jock" Another Term for Bully?

© Sue Poremba

Over the past couple of weeks, a group of parents on an internet listserv discussed the term "jock."

I'm not sure what the actual definition of the term is, but when I think of a jock, I think of an athletic person who has a little bit of swagger. You know, the competitive juices are always there. Not a bad thing at all.

However, I was stunned at the number of people on the list who immediately equated the word jock with bully.

On one hand, I could see why. Jocks, by my definition, carry themselves with a lot of self-confidence and this may intimidate a lot of people. On the other hand, I'm saddened by this stereotype, with its connotation that anyone who wears a letter sweater is mean and looking to hang kids in lockers.

The sad reality is that there are a lot of people who believe that kids who are athletes (especially the older they get) are also bullies. I'm always surprised at how many non-athletic-minded people can't see the difference between field competition and off-field behavior.

As parents the best thing we can do is continue to encourage good sportsmanship amongst our athletes. On the field or court, it means teamwork, no taunting or throwing tantrums, playing clean. Of the firled, it means not feeling the need to prove you are on a team or behaving as if you are better than classmates just because you are an athlete.