I also think that to an extent bullies are a part of life. You can't tell a teacher if someone in the real world is being a dick to you, although I guess you could if it were in the workplace. I remember a news story a while back that had everyone on youtube up in arms because a boy was being made fun for having a My Little Pony backpack and the principal suggested not wearing it. When you are going to school with a bunch of 13 year old kids and you wear a My Little Pony backpack then be prepared to get a bunch of smart ass comments thrown your way. Obviously if someone were actually harassing him or hurting him then that's a different story, but teachers can't stop kids from being 'mean' to each other.