'From the article: "She wonders why Billy is the only one getting beaten up" Apparently not in his case.' That's still circumstantial. I'm not saying the kid

'From the article: "She wonders why Billy is the only one getting beaten up" Apparently not in his case.' That's still circumstantial. I'm not saying the kid could use some more personal responsibility and take initiative. We don't even know if the kid really is the only one getting beaten up. From that same article, "A decade ago a Fayetteville student was mercilessly harassed and beaten for being gay. After a complaint was filed with the Office of Civil Rights, the district adopted procedures to promote tolerance and respect — none of which seems to have been of much comfort to Billy Wolfe." And more telling, the mother is the one who is saying Billy is the only one getting beaten up. I don't find parental perception of what is going on at school generally all that reliable. They are about as reliable as school authorities. What I'm saying is that until I get down to talk to Billy face-to-face, I'm not going to conclude that Billy is giving off the "beat me up" signals. But if that is what is happening, what you are suggesting works. Most people can use a good dose of personal responsibility.