D’uh
Bullying at school can actually be good for children, an academic said yesterday. She said teachers should not protect pupils from playground spats as they can help them handle difficult events in the future.
Helene Guldberg, associate lecturer in child development at the Open University, says official fretting ‘over the supposedly terrible dangers of bullying in the playground, can do more harm than good’.
Can we please stop turning our children into whiney-baby little pansies like the Warmans and Kinsellas of the world? The kind who run around grassing up their peers for being “mean” or “offensive” to their delicate sensibilities?
It’s time out kids - and our adults - learned that in the grownup world, people aren’t always as nice as you want them to be. You just have to suck it up and learn to deal.
“You just have to suck it up and learn to deal.”
Better yet, learn to fight back.
Comment by Cortillaen — January 29, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
I can see your point, but I was a bullied kid. Sometimes the situation truly is overwhelming, and objectively speaking, you cannot fight back.
I think if I had had a mentor of some sort, to help me fight back and help me avoid needless behaviours that provoked bullying, that would have helped me. I look back and I can see how I contributed to my being a target.
But I sometimes question all this government intervention in bullying. I really wonder if these programs are really effective in helping kids fight back.
I just think we should teach bullies some manners or make good behaviour a prerequisite for attending school.
Comment by SUZANNE — January 30, 2009 @ 1:11 am
That’s it! I’m going to go punch a baby!
(no, not really).
Comment by ErikTheRed — January 30, 2009 @ 4:09 am
It’s the same thing with parenting. Siblings fight and argue, and as hard as it is, a parent needs to stay out of it (unless it gets violent or crosses the line). Arguing, fighting, and yes, even being on the receiving end of bullying teaches many valuable lessons and also builds character.
Comment by Barbara — January 30, 2009 @ 6:58 am
The current bullying issue across this country is the direct result of the strap (yes corporal punishment)being taken from elementary school principals.
Pity.
Comment by Joe Molnar — January 30, 2009 @ 10:31 am
Growing up with conflicts is a healthy part of everyones life, fighting and losing does build character. Bullying is entirely different. It’s just one sided torment, that can last for many years of school. It can only take away from a childs character. Supporting bullying is pretty sadistic and I don’t see how any parent would.
Also Joe, I think the direct cause of bullying is bad or lazy parenting not the lack of corporal punishment.
Comment by Terry — January 30, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
The problem, Terry, is in the definition. Everything is “bullying” nowadays. It is the umbrella term for “normal conflict”, whether it’s between siblings or rival schoolkids. I was bullied A LOT as a kid. My detractors may argue that it has made me the fuckup I am today. Others may argue that it has made me capable of enduring all the hell that life has thrown my way.
RG
Comment by Right Girl — January 30, 2009 @ 3:19 pm
We’re so soft. I weep for the future.
Comment by RM — February 2, 2009 @ 7:53 am