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I think the problem is difficulty defining bullying. Fighting is easy, if you hit someone then you broke the rules, but bullying has a much more blurry line. At

I think the problem is difficulty defining bullying. Fighting is easy, if you hit someone then you broke the rules, but bullying has a much more blurry line. At my school there was some attempt to crack down on bullying, but instances of bullying were regularly dismissed or reframed as "just banter".

watwut 7y ago
Punishing kids is not answer on itself either. For one, it does not deal with victim at all. In one school I have seen, they had problem with bullying in a class. What they did were regular meet ups of whole class with psychologist and year long programs about communication. Kids were taught how to express what they feel (what and who makes them angry), were taught to listen to other kids, were taught to care about each others feelings, were taught what is big deal and what is not big deal. Slowly over time, situation got better. The point is, solution was not punishment nor seeking who is guilty. It was working with all the kids, bullies, victims, bystanders and teaching them new behavioral patterns. Repeatedly saying the same things, reinforcing same values, playing similar games etc.
- LorenPechtel 7y ago
  That sort of thing will help with the minor stuff, it won't deal with the serious stuff.
  - watwut 7y ago
    It was serious. If it would be minor, no one would call specialists. They cost money and time. The bullying went down and there are no permanent victims now. It is not rosy, but much better then in classes where teachers opted for punishment only or ignore it methods. There issues only grew. Yes in one case the problem kid had to leave school. Guess what - he is in another school and I don't think he magically stopped.
jdashg 7y ago
If someone's banter is making someone else's life worse, it's not just banter.
- s1artibartfast 7y ago
  How is that different than just saying anything you don't like is bullying?

watwut 7y ago

Punishing kids is not answer on itself either. For one, it does not deal with victim at all. In one school I have seen, they had problem with bullying in a class. What they did were regular meet ups of whole class with psychologist and year long programs about communication. Kids were taught how to express what they feel (what and who makes them angry), were taught to listen to other kids, were taught to care about each others feelings, were taught what is big deal and what is not big deal. Slowly over time, situation got better. The point is, solution was not punishment nor seeking who is guilty. It was working with all the kids, bullies, victims, bystanders and teaching them new behavioral patterns. Repeatedly saying the same things, reinforcing same values, playing similar games etc.

LorenPechtel 7y ago
That sort of thing will help with the minor stuff, it won't deal with the serious stuff.
- watwut 7y ago
  It was serious. If it would be minor, no one would call specialists. They cost money and time. The bullying went down and there are no permanent victims now. It is not rosy, but much better then in classes where teachers opted for punishment only or ignore it methods. There issues only grew. Yes in one case the problem kid had to leave school. Guess what - he is in another school and I don't think he magically stopped.

jdashg 7y ago

If someone's banter is making someone else's life worse, it's not just banter.

s1artibartfast 7y ago
How is that different than just saying anything you don't like is bullying?