[Merry Mockmas]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Again this assumes that all bullies have parents who are at fault; that kids are robots / pets and if their "owners" teach them "right" then they will behave as they were taught.

But children believe it or not are actually humans with minds of their own completely separate to their parents. Especially teens, which is when the worst bullying occurs. There are all sorts of circumstances that can lead to it.

I think it depends on what we're grading as bullying.

For me I'm thinking of children who think it's okay to beat kids up because of how they look or what they might like, or the bully doesn't like what the child is wearing, and I am thinking of cases where bullies have been so awful that the victim wants to kill themselves because they can't bare the treatment any longer, if a child is making another child feel like that then the parents have to take responsibility for that as it's not like these incidences are normal for a child to display.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

I think it depends on what we're grading as bullying.

For me I'm thinking of children who think it's okay to beat kids up because of how they look or what they might like, or the bully doesn't like what the child is wearing, and I am thinking of cases where bullies have been so awful that the victim wants to kill themselves because they can't bare the treatment any longer, if a child is making another child feel like that then the parents have to take responsibility for that as it's not like these incidences are normal for a child to display.

They're not normal, no, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the parents aren't trying to stop it or have the power to stop it. The idea that if parents "step in" it'll all instantly stop is simply wrong... And even where it is the fault of a broken home, placing families that are struggling financially under more financial pressure is only likely to compound any problems that are already present.

[armand.kay]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

They're not normal, no, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the parents aren't trying to stop it or have the power to stop it. The idea that if parents "step in" it'll all instantly stop is simply wrong... And even where it is the fault of a broken home, placing families that are struggling financially under more financial pressure is only likely to compound any problems that are already present.

Basically this. To just presume that its the fault of the parents is just a bit stupid and a way of just passing off the blame. Why not try and find out why the child is misbehaving and get to the root of the problem.

[Merry Mockmas]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

They're not normal, no, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the parents aren't trying to stop it or have the power to stop it. The idea that if parents "step in" it'll all instantly stop is simply wrong... And even where it is the fault of a broken home, placing families that are struggling financially under more financial pressure is only likely to compound any problems that are already present.

If the bully is only doing some mild actions against their victim like silly nicknames/insults then I agree that's not the parents fault, but I honestly do believe that with a basic level of discipline from the parents and teachers that a child would not bully another child to the extent that we've all witnessed when we've been at School.