Does Sensitivity "awareness" help bullying?

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Teaching kids to be more sensitive to each other probably helps kids...be more sensitive to each other....but the bully kids are still getting bullied at home so does this reach them? Those kids are still getting their ass beat, or getting put down by someone else...a brother, a father, a cousin....Should we also teach our kids to stand up to the bullies? Could it actually help the bully kids? I've seen it many times where bullies end up respecting, or at least never picking on a kid again who stood up to them...

I dont know the answer, this is just speculation, but maybe worth thinking about. I know the fine line when teaching my kid about hitting back....it could seriously backfire....

YES!! !!

Teach your kids to stand up for themselves or they will go through life as victims. Give them the tools to stand up for themselves and make a clear distinction.

My dad told me:

If you ever start a fight, you will be grounded and punished.

If you are attacked and defend yourself, I will be in the principals office the next day if they try to punish you.

Unfortunately, I feel victim to the BS sensitivity training and was bullied for years. It never did stop the kids from doing it.

Sensitivity training would probably help the bullies to be even more hurtful & harmful than they manage to already.

Creates better victims too

The only sensitivity awareness a bully understands is a groin kick.

I used to get bullied and I would in turn, bully other kids. Not a proud time in my life. But I will never forget the time two kids on seperate ocassions stood up to me. One kicked me in the nuts, the other punched me in the face, I deserved it...... It didn't make me like them, and we didn't end up sharing a soda or whatever, but I never messed with them again. But holy crap I bet those kids felt empowered.

And when I stood to a bully later on, it earned me respect.

But on the flip side, what if your kid stands up to the bully, and gets beaten badly, or stabbed or something....

I wonder if it's all about power, the bully feels powerless so he acts out on who he perceives as a weaker. It's an abuse of power, but it comes from a reaction of feeling powerlessness.....

I bet martial arts is good for kids because it makes them feel powerful, but that power is controlled with discipline....

Been wondering about this. My son's psychologist wants me to make a presentation to his class explaining autism. Her theory is if the kids understand him better they will not think of him as "weird" or feel ok about teasing him. I'm not convinced but want to do what I can -- if I can -- to help him.

I think what's great about what your son is doing is that is about awareness. It's not so much "you need to like me" but more "this is who I am, understand me" and what it really means is "don't judge me." He's standing proud and explaining who he is. I bet it'll give him some confidence.

i'd probably tell my son about your son "give him a chance, and if you don't like him, or you dont like the things he does, you still need to respect him." That might come off harsh but maybe the two teir approach to stop bullying is to not get all up in our kids heads about who they should like and not like, we can guide them on that, but they need to know that they might not like everyone, but they need to repsect everyone. And they should respect you back....

I like the multi tier approach. I know of an aspie who was popular in the local high school. He is a gifted musician. I think what happened is that the girls saw him for who he is, quirks and all, and in a natural way gave sensitivity awareness to the boys.

I've also seen WP postings of moms who have gone into elementary classes to explain Aspergers with good results. I don't think that'd work for kids older than 4th grade or so.

I also strongly recommend the tier of martial arts. It teaches exactly when and how strongly to use moves to stop an attacker. It also gives confidence. They carry themselves with confidence and I feel they are somewhat less of a target.