As a child, Ted was terribly shy, self-doubting and uncomfortable in social situations. He was teased all the time and made the butt of pranks by bullies in his junior high school. he was not like other children, he looked and acted like them, but he was haunted by a fear...a doubt. sometimes only a vague uneasiness that inhabited his mind with the subtlety of a cat. ted felt it for years, but he didn't recognize it for what it was until much later. Regardless of the humiliating experiences he sometimes suffered from being different, he was able to maintain a high grade-point average that would continue throughout high school and later into college. When Ted was five years old his mother fell in love with a military cook named Johnnie Culpepper Bundy. In May of 1951 Teds mother and Johnnie got married and Ted assumed Johnnies last name that he would keep for the rest of his life. Teds stepfather Johnnie tried to develop a “father son” bond with Ted by including him in camping trips and other “father son” activities. Unfortunately, Johnnies attempts were unsuccessful and Ted remained detached from his stepfather. Eventually Ted became increasingly uncomfortable around his stepfather and preferred to be alone.This desire to be alone increased and could have possibly led to his inability to socially interact comfortably with others.
During Teds high school years, He changed from a shy and introverted person to a more focused and dominant character. He was driven, as if to prove himself to the world. Ted appeared to sprout into a more gregarious young man. His popularity increased significantly and he was considered to be very well dressed and exceptionally well mannered. Despite his emerging popularity, Ted rarely dated. His interests were pointed more towards extra-curricular activities such as skiing and politics.
After high school, Ted attended college at the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington. He