The anti-bullying effort was inspired by anti-bullying programs in the United States. It’s not surprising that in Mexico, the English word has been adopted into everyday language.
Because there is no single Spanish word for "bullying," children outside a middle school on the southern edge of Mexico City use the English word. They pronounced it “boo-leeng.” Sometimes they used Spanglish verbs like "buleando."
Using the word “bullearon,” 12-year-old Julian Perez said, “I’ve been bullied because of my stature. I’m short. But I’ve become used to it and if I don’t pay it any mind, they leave me alone.”
Parent Renata Fernandez, 44, had a slightly different thought.
“I think bullying has always existed,” she said. “But now it’s in fashion to talk about this theme. Before it didn’t get a lot of attention.”