Reply #38: You're talking hypotheticals- [View All]

I'm referring to the more realistic scenario- a child does experience pain and trauma but it is immediately dealt with by their parents, teachers, etc. They know how to fight because they've seen their parents do it.

Let's say a kid in a deli is bullied- (pushed, given a titty twister, etc.) by a larger, older kid. Do you think the adults witnessing this should do nothing because it will give the kid the false impression that there is some justice in the world? Or should the adults lead the way and show the kid how to fight back in a socially-acceptable way (mediation)?

What do children learn by being presented with problems that are too difficult to handle? They learn to give up. A child who is repeatedly beaten down (physically, mentally or emotionally) by a seemingly insummountable force doesn't learn how to fight. They learn to lie down and play dead. It's the responsibility of parents, teachers, adults and other would-be role-model to frickin' help kids who are presented with things they don't know how to deal with.