The Wrong Approach to Bullying
Bullying in schools in the UK national news again, being labelled an epidemic in light of two recent horrific attacks on schoolgirls where one had their eye injured with a pair of scissors and another attacked by a gang of girls after received two academic awards.
A Childline worker says that children need to be told right from wrong and be taught respect.
Half right, if that. It is virtually genetic to know right from wrong and if not it sets in at a very early age. The exceptions are ridiculously small and these people have mental conditions. Bullies are fully aware of what is right and wrong but just don't care.
Being taught respect is a good idea, but will not address the problem on its own. The biggest problem is that their is no effective punishment or deterrent. If a child gets the idea in their head that they can bully and receive no consequences for it.
Here is a big wake up call. Suspension is not a punishment. These kids barely want to go to school as it is. Suspension is the worst sentence for wrong-doing going. For the love of all that is Holy, think of something else.
Until bullies find that there will be undesirable consequences to their actions, bullying will continue.
Technorati Tag = Bullying
posted by Dan Hill at
7:40 AM
4 Comments:
I think the parents of bullies should be got involved as well. I remember hating one girl at our school - we all did - until her dad was sent to jail for child abuse. Apparently he'd been beating her up for years.
So I think a lot of the time, you've got to look at the parents, and the type of example they're giving.
Absolutely, Ali. Parents are vital in this equation.
Domestic violence has a part to play in influencing a child's behaviour.
Though I have found in my time and experience that a far more potent source is a medium-low intellect and an unapplied mind.
I agree, "teaching respect" over simplifies an amazingly complex problem. In defence of Childline though, I recently attended a conference in Wales where I had the opportunity to listen to Jonathan Green, Services manager ChildLine Cymru, speak on "Bullying via New Communication Technologies". It was horrifying and empowering in equal measure.
Cheers Samantha
Thanks for your thoughts Samantha. Absolutely no need to defend Childline from me, the work they do is exemplary.
Quite frankly, it could have been anyone publicising this view that would have caught my attention.
I'd just taken the opportunity to point out that a huge area of concern is being missed off the agenda.
As bad as digital bullying is, at least it is more trackable than face to face bullying should authorities ever be in a position to take proper action.
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