Building your character takes time, and it is influenced by your experiences and relationships with others. Think about someone who influenced the way you made a decision. Perhaps it was a parent, family member, friend, dating partner, teacher, or coach. What character traits did that person show that influenced your decision? Were those influences positive or negative? What was the result of your decision?

 

 

Consider the following scenario.

 

You are walking down the hallway at school when you notice an older student picking on a younger student. You realize that the younger student is being bullied. There are several other students who are standing around watching and not doing anything to help. What do you do?

 

- State of South Carolina Department of Education Comprehensive Health Education Instructional Units and Resources for Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault Prevention Standards and Performance Indicators, p. 118

 

 

You could show poor decision-making and join the bully picking on the younger student. You could also show poor character traits and join the crowd standing around watching. But it would be best to show positive character traits and have the courage to tell the bully what they are doing is disrespectful and not okay, while also saying hello and offering yourself as a friend to the younger student being bullied.

 

Making a good decision and helping the student being bullied will build a strong and positive character that others will see and respect.