• Why is it that many people, especially young children, can be so cruel to one another about difference?

• What is the difference between friendly, ‘matey’ teasing and the kind of teasing that borders on bullying?

• How much of this unkind teasing is based on fear and ignorance?

• Why do some people, children and adults, become bullies? Why do some people attract bullying?

• When should you stand up to a bully and when should you seek help?

• Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone was identical in appearance and circumstances?

Activities

1. In pairs or in groups, think about a time

• when someone made you feel bad about something about you that was different
• when someone made you feel good about something about you that was different

2. Either individually or in pairs, think about a time when you made someone else feel bad about something that was different about them. Why did it happen? Did you feel guilty? Did you put it right? What did you learn from the experience?

3. In groups of four, role-play a situation involving a child who is picked on for being different. Each person should play the victim, the bully and the onlooker(s) in turn.

4. In groups, compare the palms of hands. Observe that every one is different. This activity could be extended to examine and make fingerprints, or even to examine slides of snowflakes.

Programme 5: Anorexia

Topics for discussion

• Many people find it difficult to put a name to some of the emotions they feel. It can then be difficult to know what to do with the emotion, and where they can go for help with it. Hold a class discussion on different types of emotions and safe ways of expressing and dealing with them.

• Did you think that eating disorders were about being vain and trying to get attention? What other ways could people use to communicate that they are very unhappy?

• People with an eating disorder won’t admit they have a problem because at first they don’t think they have one – they think they are in control. By the time they realise that the eating disorder is controlling them and that they do have a problem, they are frightened of giving up their coping mechanism. What other types of coping mechanisms are there, hidden or obvious, potentially harmful or safe?

• Pippa talks about the possibility that she will not reach her full height because of her anorexia. How easy is it to realise that things you do whilst you are young may cause difficulties in later life? What other things are there that young people do that may cause them problems in later life?

• Some things you do to please other people; some things you can only do if you are really motivated to do them. Can you think of any of the latter? What responsibilities do young people have for themselves and for others? It is sometimes difficult to accept these responsibilities. Where can you go for help if you are finding the added responsibilities of growing up a little harder than you expected?

• Do you agree that the media is to blame for the increase in body dissatisfaction? (Remember – the media says it produces what the consumer wants; it doesn’t set the precedent/ agenda.)

Activities

• As a group, brainstorm as many emotions as you can think of. Split them into positive and negative emotions (perhaps some will be neutral and some may fit in both categories). Pick one positive and one negative emotion. Work out what might make you feel like this and what actions you take when you feel like this. Perform this work as drama role-plays to the rest of the group.

• Cut out pictures of famous people. Create posters about what they look like and what their personalities are like (from what you know about them through the media!). What is it about them that has made them famous? Is it mainly about what they look like or other characteristics or skills they have?
  NB Remember to discuss that everything we see in print is not always true – including photographs!

• The Masai people in Kenya write and perform Boasting Songs to lift their spirits and to celebrate their achievements and victories. In small groups write a boasting song about your group of friends or your school.

• Collect food labels and make a collage out of them, separating them in to those which the advertisers have made you consider to be ‘good’ or ‘healthy’ foods and those which are considered ‘bad’ or ‘unhealthy’. Is there really much difference between the fat, carbohydrate, sugar content etc.

• Puberty is a difficult time for all young people due to all the physical and emotional changes that are taking place. Write a letter to an agony aunt describing some of the problems or difficult feelings involved with going through puberty. Swap letters with a friend and write a response from the agony aunt to the young person giving them some safe advice about coping with their worries.

• Discuss the saying "sticks and stones may hurt my bones but names will never hurt me" in relation to this issue. Will you change your behavior towards people like Pippa having seen this programme?