Should all school bullies be sent to special schools to be rehabilitated?

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I think that the best way to end school bullying is to put all bullies in special schools to be rehabilitated in order to keep the students safe and prevent them from getting worse. I know that it is drastic, but bullying is a huge problem and it MUST end. I think this is the best way because of its drastic nature, it is proactive and focuses on reforming the bullies rather than just punishing them.

[Jupiter]

I like the idea. This would help, but then there would be a bully school. Who wouyld want to teach there?

[kenoloor]

In order for there to be bullies, there need to be victims. Without victims, no bullies. If you have a school full of bullies how exactly is that going to help...? Except for maybe the big bullies get beat up by the bigger bullies...

[Perseus]

You can't end human nature.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I like the idea. This would help, but then there would be a bully school. Who wouyld want to teach there?

The types of teachers who would teach there are those who are trained to teach children with behavioral problems/disorders.

[Navi]

In my opinion, I think that would cost taxpayers too much money and stuff, unless the parents HAD to pay for their tuition, which I would doubt seeing that happen... The whole "my darling little angel couldn't possibly even do that!" mentality would come from the parents.
I think that most bullying starts at home and it spreads to school, starting with parents, and then the kid loses control from stress and takes it out on others.
It does seem like a good idea in some parts, I just couldn't see it happening...

[ShyGuyInChicago]

In order for there to be bullies, there need to be victims. Without victims, no bullies. If you have a school full of bullies how exactly is that going to help...? Except for maybe the big bullies get beat up by the bigger bullies...

The school would not be run like an ordinary school. Experts trained to deal with psychological issues would help reform the students.

[Levy]

I think that it is a decent idea, it seems like it could work. Obviously the system isn't working now, so nothing needs to be done, either correctional institutes or harsher punishments. Bullying is an unnecessary act.

[aperson444]

It won't work. A bully is defined using relative terms. Is someone who uses the word "fag" a bully no matter what? If someone was attacked verbally and chose to fight back, are they bullies?

The prison system is a sham, a failure. Small-time criminals turn into harder criminals. This "school" would make the issue worse. You can't change human nature. Humans are bullies. Humans prey on the weak. Humans are humans, and they will be humans until the extinction of our species. The best way to prevent bullying is to raise awareness, tell people to stand up. Suppression only makes things worse.

[Levy]

It won't work. A bully is defined using relative terms. Is someone who uses the word "fag" a bully no matter what? If someone was attacked verbally and chose to fight back, are they bullies?

The prison system is a sham, a failure. Small-time criminals turn into harder criminals. This "school" would make the issue worse. You can't change human nature. Humans are bullies. Humans prey on the weak. Humans are humans, and they will be humans until the extinction of our species. The best way to prevent bullying is to raise awareness, tell people to stand up. Suppression only makes things worse.
But the thing about the prison system, a lot of times it really isn't a rehabilitation area, more of a place to separate the "good" and the "bad" members of society. If you want to talk about human nature, it's much like any other animal. They can be taught, or forced to conform to anything. As long as you ran the facility like a psychiatric ward and not a prison, it should be fine. Prisons on the other hand, the incarcerated mingle and teach each other to become even worse. Very few do indeed leave prison a better man.

[aperson444]

Eh I've been in a psych ward. The way they operate... It doesn't "rehabilitate", rather the patients end up rehabilitating each other. I remember that a lot of the staff didn't really help at all, and they were sort of pill-pushing dicks 75% of the time. I doubt true bullies would "rehabilitate" each other or even "rehabilitate" at all. They would just... Bully each other.

You can't change a human behavior. You can't stop a tiger from killing its prey or eating meat. You can't control things that are wired in the brain. A lot of bullies need individual help, as they face severe psychological issues. More often than not, a specific rehabilitation is not what they need. What they do need on a case-by-case basis (if a bully is caught bullying) is a "break from school or suspension/expulsion coupled with mandatory psychotherapy. If they find anything significant or if this behavior escalates, they should be sent to a psychiatric facility for psychiatric patients.

[TheMatrix]

You obviously don't understand what a bully is, OP.
A bully, like Richik said, is relative. You could call me a bully because of the first sentence of this post. You could call me a bully for looking at you funny.
But for the sake of simplicity, let's go with the common opinion of a bully. Depicted as a large, angry, muscular kid, he picks on little kids and steals their toys and pushes them off playgrounds and such. Or the common high school bully who picks people's locks and uses profanity as every other word in a sentence.
For the sake of simplicity, we will assume the above.
But what causes this "bully" to act in such a way? Does he crave attention? If so, why? Is he abused at home, and too afraid to tell someone? Does he just need someone to talk to?
If the answer to the last question is yes, then sending these "bullies" to a special reform school is counter-intuitive.
If all they need is an outlet and someone to understand, then sending them away will not help. Rather, it will make it worse. Because there, there are many others who are the same. And it seems as if just like magnets, two positve poles repel: two people who are the same do not go well together. And thus, the problem escalates.

A simple solution: when you see a "bully", go up to them and try to be friends. Don't worry what other people say, believe me, it will be a difficult concept for them to grasp. You may find that you yourself may be bullied. Ignore that, as that is simply human nature.
Stick with that ex-bully. Talk to him. Open yourself to him. Show that you care. Tell him that you want to help(and actually mean it).
Over time, the problem will be solved, and you gained a friend in the process. No tax money wasted, nobody hurt.

And at the end of the day, everyone is happy.

[Amaryllis]

Fuck no.

I agree with Richik and Thomas. Bullying is subjective. One person could take "Fuck you!" and a shove as haha! Oh no you didn't, bitch! And laugh it off. Another could cry and take it personally. Few people actually bother to look at it from all angles, as well as the bullies. We make them out to be what we believe them to be and this belief becomes a fact. Not many of us bother to look at the psychology of bullying.

Let's first look at what a bully is:

bul·ly/ˈbo͝olē/
Noun:
1. A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker.
2. Corned beef.

[-]Haha, corned beef... :')[/-]

Bullies are probably being bullied themselves. No one is ever utterly indestructible. Bullying isn't just restricted to school, it happens in the workplace as well and even then, people still commit suicide because of it. Well, perhaps partially.

Bullying happens at home as well. What if it's your mother? Your siblings? If your brother or sister tease, hit and humiliate you constantly, does this not mean they should go to a school meant for bullies? If we had such a school, at least half the school will most likely be accused of bullying and asked to be "rehabilitated."

So if bullies have bullies, do you put them both in "special" schools? Would you put your siblings? What if your siblings accuse you of bullying?

Fact is, the majority of the human race if not all get off on being above other people. Some are subtle and less open and some are just out there. We're all bullies in one way or another, wether we realise it or not.

Many people believe bullies to be apathetic sociopaths. This is hardly the case in most cases. They often use stories that they repeat to themselves in order to justify whatever it is they're doing. Some believe the same rules don't apply to them. However, this does not mean they're heartless and/or sociopathic.

Bullying is often a learnt behaviour. Kids who grow up in environments based on ridicule, anger and hate often become hateful themselves. They might have been neglected, beaten, put down, insulted, humiliated and molested. Even if the actions weren't directly brought against them, seeing your parents beat and insult each other does take a toll on you.

Of course, this is no excuse. I wish I could blame my mother for my violent outbursts and self-harming tendencies, but in the end, no matter what happens, our actions are our own. We should, indeed, try to understand.

Bullies are often afraid. Afraid of getting bullied themselves, of falling right to the bottom of the social status pyramid, of being thought of as a "wuss" and of not "fitting in" to whatever "group" they're in.

For some, it's a matter of attention. Somewhat like many people who harm themselves. They may deny it but there is usually that cry for help and support. But after a while it becomes a habit and all they know to do and be.

This is quite a controversial topic, but studies on violent video games have shown that they do effect some negatively. It lets them think, especially kids who are easily influenced, that punching people, shoving, running people over with cars, having sex with prostitutes, trading guns behind school buildings is all okay. For some, life becomes a game.

If everyone were able to accuse people of bullying, over half the school would end up in these rehabilitation centres. We are all bullies, in a way. Our inner desire to be above others simply varies. Some are much more quiet about it and some just let it out. Most of us enjoy feeling powerful and in control.

A lot of bullies have these type of mindsets:

- The strong survive.
- Someone has to be at the bottom.
- I'm above the rules.
- They can deal with this, if they can't, they need to toughen up.
- I don't give a shit.
- What the fuck are they talking about?

Fact is, a lot of "bullies" don't even realise they're "bullies" and a lot of "victims" are simply too sensitive. A lot of those who do realise what they're doing, feel that life is a stressful, competitive, survival-of-the-fittest competition to see who toughs it out the longest.

Not to mention, the idea of confining and isolating bullies in special schools will only reinforce their beliefs. Imagine a school made up of bullies! God knows what they're going to do to each other. And this will only make their belief in the survival of the fittest fester and grow.

Is it going to help teach them how to get along with the rest of society? Heck no. is it going to help them make friends outside of the "tough" group? No. Are they even likely to obey the rules? No. Are they likely to give a damn what the authorities do? Not really.

Basically what I'm saying is, this idea is bullshit.

[huginnmuninn]

why dont you just start punishing them? actually make kids regret doing what got them in trouble instead of acting like anybody who does anything bad has something wrong with them. some people just enjoy doing bad things and the best way to make them stop is to punish them not send them off and make them feel special. people bully for various reasons but i doubt the majority of it is a psychological problem. I dont know about where yall go to school but in my school when a person is accused of bullying they either get suspended or detention. neither of those options actually punish the kids. make the kids do community service or do some kind of physical work that will teach the kids team work and a feeling of belonging or something. send the bullys to a special school seems like a bad idea and a waste of money.

[Levy]

I'd love to see people start being punished, but nobody ever really goes through with it, or it's not a harsh enough punishment. And it's not human instinct to bully, it all goes to how you are raised. If you have psychiatric problems, odds are something in your life affected you negatively. Which either you can try to change them, or incarcerate them. Punishment is deterrent used to maintain control and influence a person to act how you want them to. Unless, you just want to live side by side with the bullies. And a tiger eating meat and a person bullying is hardly comparable. I understand mental problems as much as the next person, I grew up in a harsh environment that would probably turn me into a sociopath, but I don't go around pushing my problems onto others in the form of bullying.

[Genghis Khan]

You can't change a human behavior. You can't stop a tiger from killing its prey or eating meat. You can't control things that are wired in the brain.

I wouldn't compare an instinctual act for survival to something people do for personal reasons.

[Levy]

I wouldn't compare an instinctual act for survival to something people do for personal reasons. Exactly.

[Jupiter]

If so, then every single person in the world would be there, because everyone has said something not very nice.. so.. yeah.

[Levy]

If so, then every single person in the world would be there, because everyone has said something not very nice.. so.. yeah.

Well I think it to be more like, repetitive offenses. Sometimes people have bad days and say negative things, but some people just keep up with it. Sometimes it seems a person's life revolves around being mean to people, they just keep up with it. I honestly think punishment instead of incarceration would help more.

[Jupiter]

So, please... tell me if you have never been mean to someone over 3 days in a row. Someone you are mad at. Someone that you say mean things to.. ya know.

[Levy]

I've been mean to people that I'm mad at. But I don't antagonize people out of pure spite. There is a difference between a person who is pissed and a instigator.

[TheMatrix]

why dont you just start punishing them? actually make kids regret doing what got them in trouble instead of acting like anybody who does anything bad has something wrong with them. some people just enjoy doing bad things and the best way to make them stop is to punish them not send them off and make them feel special. people bully for various reasons but i doubt the majority of it is a psychological problem. I dont know about where yall go to school but in my school when a person is accused of bullying they either get suspended or detention. neither of those options actually punish the kids. make the kids do community service or do some kind of physical work that will teach the kids team work and a feeling of belonging or something. send the bullys to a special school seems like a bad idea and a waste of money.
While I agree with some of your points, how were you planning to punish them?
Corporal punishment is outlawed, last time I checked. You can try counseling them, but that doesn't always work(come to think of it, it seldom does). You can put them in special classes, which will only reenforce their beliefs, because that's like sending them to a different school.
That leaves no feasible options...

[BigDaddyHutch]

While I agree with some of your points, how were you planning to punish them?
Corporal punishment is outlawed, last time I checked.
Not in Indiana... I learned that one the hard way.

[aperson444]

I wouldn't compare an instinctual act for survival to something people do for personal reasons.

That's also subjective. What's a personal reason? Some responses to "personal reasons" could simply be natural, but exaggerated responses to an unpleasant stimuli. Should we really be selecting only people with moderate responses? Then who would become extreme?

All I'm saying is that humans end up bullying each other whether we like it or not. It's a mentality that exists and dates back to our roots. We can't fight it. We can make it clear that hurting one another is not acceptable, but we can't suddenly induce a change in one's own behavior without them acknowledging that they have a problem.

[Genghis Khan]

That's also subjective. What's a personal reason?

Abusive/unsupportive parents, lack of self esteem, hates themselves. These are just a few.

Although I would agree with you on bullying as a response to jealousy, jealousy is a natural phenomenon, so inevitably if person A envies person B for whatever reason, they might feel the need to bash on them.

I'm still not convinced that bullying is an underlying evolved characteristic like 'fight or flight', chronic and acute stress responses and what have you. I've never felt the need to do it and I know quite a few people who've possibly never bullied anybody in their life.

[DerBear]

No.

There is no point what so ever because to be fair this usually ends by the time they leave school. Its not like they have mental problems just some issues that disappair when they are older and the fact is segragation just sounds a whole lot worse.

Its just like if we wanted gays to stop getting bullied or picked on or feel uncomftorbable. We are not going to send them to a differnet school.

In school bullying always or in most cases stops at the end on primary and or high school so this would cost way too much and is not needed.

Waste of time resources and energy

[huginnmuninn]

While I agree with some of your points, how were you planning to punish them?
Corporal punishment is outlawed, last time I checked. You can try counseling them, but that doesn't always work(come to think of it, it seldom does). You can put them in special classes, which will only reenforce their beliefs, because that's like sending them to a different school.
That leaves no feasible options...

corporal punishment isnt outlawed everywhere

[ShyGuyInChicago]

No.

There is no point what so ever because to be fair this usually ends by the time they leave school. Its not like they have mental problems just some issues that disappair when they are older and the fact is segragation just sounds a whole lot worse.

Its just like if we wanted gays to stop getting bullied or picked on or feel uncomftorbable. We are not going to send them to a differnet school.

In school bullying always or in most cases stops at the end on primary and or high school so this would cost way too much and is not needed.

Waste of time resources and energy

Of course school bullying will eventually end. But why should we accept something bad due to it being temporary? We should try to reduce bullying as much as possible. Children deserve to go to school without being mistreated in any form.

[DerBear]

Of course school bullying will eventually end. But why should we accept something bad due to it being temporary? We should try to reduce bullying as much as possible. Children deserve to go to school without being mistreated in any form.

True

But sending them to another school only solves the problem for the victum not the bully infact they tend to have issues more or less but forcing them to another school for "rehab" is not the way to go.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

True

But sending them to another school only solves the problem for the victum not the bully infact they tend to have issues more or less but forcing them to another school for "rehab" is not the way to go.

Rehab could help the bully with his psychological problems or help him change his attitudes about it and change his behavior.

[DerBear]

No I dont think it would in all sense because if you think about it, a bully is going to be a bully until he learns to mature forcing him into anything wont help.

[danny7]

I like the idea. This would help, but then there would be a bully school. Who wouyld want to teach there?

and if they're all bullies, they ganna tink dey all tough and fight for who "owns" the school.

[heykay]

I think it should depend on how bad the situation with the bully is..

[Modus Operandi]

Nope.

Sorry to say, but this shit (bullying, that is) is human nature at its most primal. And again, not all bullies are how they are because they're just assholes, there are various reasons. Lumping in people with difficulties at home with people who are just douchebags won't solve anything, and will in fact only make things worse. In any case, this is discrimination and the courts wouldn't stand for it.

[Jean Poutine]

I sense butthurt in this thread. Got bullied?

I got bullied, a lot. As a kid with Asperger's a normal school never is easy. Add to that terrible acne and it becomes a nightmare. I wasn't an easy kid to bully because I had a tough shell to crack and just didn't care much, but easy at the same time because I was so odd and awkward. Eventually it became too much and I had to get the police involved. Being bullied did teach me some precious things about humans and society in general. It allowed me to harden up.

Want to know the truth? Bullying is not only a school phenomenon. You're going to get bullied at your job by a higher ranked person or just somebody who's been there longer. Over work, over pay, over your desk's cleanliness. Gossip, insults, pressure. You're also going to get bullied in university. While driving your car. At a club. At the park. It will still all be there. People won't shove your face in the toilet or stick you in a garbage can, but it will take another form. More subtle, perhaps more dangerous. Psychological bullying never stops, and it's everywhere.

Bullies are antisocial. They don't give a shit about rehab, special concentration camps, laws, you or how their actions hurt people. People are there to be used by them and nothing else. Give them the least amount of power and they'll abuse it. They want to feel like special squirrels that are better than anyone. They crave this kind of attention.

The only way to get equal with bullies is to toughen your skin, else you're going to live a sad life. Get a spine and show them you're not to be used for their attention whoring.

[antiabort]

This sounds like a decent idea

[rockNroll]

No, I can't see this working. Where do you draw the line at "bullying"? You can't.