Absurd school policy

[JackShephard]

I don't have the full story, I only overheard this on the radio.

But I guess a school somewhere here in the states has a new policy where they discourage kids from having a best friend and encourage group friendships to "crack down" on bullying. I hear that if a teacher sees kids spending too much time with each other, efforts will be made to split them up. The philosophy is that this will discourage cliques and decrease the possibility of bullying if these cliques are eliminated.

I think this is a bit silly. I mean, even of you make kids associate with larger groups, they are going to eventually separate into cliques if you ask me. There's going to be the jocks, stoners, religious people, and whatever else as large groups. Ive noticed that these people tend to stick together in my school. If someone who knows about this story, would you mind posting a link? I can't easily google on my phone as I have no 3G (which makes browsing tons easier)

Thoughts?

[Mortal Coil]

Making kids be in larger groups only means there are more bullies. Also, forming close friendships is a part of growing up. It's an invasion of the children's privacy to invade their friendships like this.

How old are these kids anyway? Elementary school? High school?

[Jess]

what??? how about try to help those that don't have friends to get friends?? how will group friendships deter bullying?

Alex is right. close friendships is part of GROWING UP.

[JackShephard]

Making kids be in larger groups only means there are more bullies. Also, forming close friendships is a part of growing up. It's an invasion of the children's privacy to invade their friendships like this.

How old are these kids anyway? Elementary school? High school?

Exactly! This is an example of how powers of authority overstep the line. I understand encouraging ways to slow down bullying but to make kids be friends with other people is absurd.
I don't really know but I got the sense that it was targeting junior high kids. That's when bullying can start to become more apparent and it's only logical that they would make a policy the "help put a stop to bullying."

[double r]

This absurd. Why are they doing this when the problem can escalate.
They should focus on the class discipline then splitting them up.
And just wondering what school district is this situation going on.

[Fractured Silhouette]

Wow. This sounds pretty stupid. That school doesn't sound like it'll be very popular. Splitting kids up isn't going to stop bullying or groups, it's just going to make school harder.

[Lights]

In one sense you can see where they're coming from because cliques can cause a lot of isolation, but of course, it is wrong what they are doing.
It isn't right to split children up who aren't causing harm to others. It's unnatural and cruel. Not to mention this kind of tactic is more likely to make children resent each other more; there's a reason they don't all hang out together. It's just a natural process for children to befriend others who share the same interests. Forcing them into larger groups that they don't necessarily want to be a part of does not solve a thing, and is wrong.

[Theatrelover]

Some people do better in small personal friendships than in a large group. Large groups are what can cause bullying, a group turns against a member or someone who does not have a group of friends.
They should be doing the opposite, splitting up large groups of friends.
Or better, leave friendships alone and tackle bullying on a case by case basis.

[JackShephard]

If I could find the story, I would gladly post it. It's probably not national news. It sounds like more of a local story. I don't think that station I heard this on is a national one. This probably has to do with recent bills here in Michigan. I know of one (that may or may not have been passed) that has to do with this sort of thing. Pretty much, it involves criminal charges for someone that is bullying. I'll try and look when I get to a computer. I'm quite curious about this.

Edit: After a painfully slow search via my phone, it seems I was wrong about it being anywhere near me. I saw a story in a google search (which is currently loading) about the story or a similar one and it said something about it being I the UK.

Second edit: I heard something about bullying on the radio but this article says its about keeping kids from experiencing the pain of a "break up" with a best friend.

Here you are :)
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4203460/Schools-ban-children-making-best-friends.html

[Weeping_Angel]

Wow!! This is absurd. As evil.angel/Alex has said, having close relationships is a part of growing up. And besides having large groups of friends won't prevent bullying.

[Professional Russian]

So its like the military...dont get too close with anybody because they will most likely get killed right?

[double r]

That is what the CCCP use to say as one of their military catch phrases.
But just wondering does anyone here schools do the subject that is being discussed.

[UnknownError]

So its like the military...dont get too close with anybody because they will most likely get killed right?

high school kids arent going to be killed robert. i think you mis-read the op.

[OregonStateDude]

But I guess a school somewhere here in the states has a new policy where they discourage kids from having a best friend and encourage group friendships.

What a crock of shit! The whole point of junior high is to have a best friend, just so you can endure the whole nightmare of it all.

Justin and I have known each other since we were 8 years old. I've always got his back and he has mine. And I'll be damned if I let some idiot teacher split us apart. :mad:

[Bath]

This is so incredibly stupid if it's true. They're starting to make rules that go against growing up. In trying to "protect" kids from "bullying" they are making it so much worse.

Hasn't anyone read Anthem?? It's a fictional story that takes place in the future, in a world where EVERYONE is EQUAL. No freedom because of restrictions. But hey, no bullying either ;~;

Kids will get dirt on their knees. Life is full of bad shit. Might as well have some fucking fun while you go through it. So what you got a best friend? Load of shit this is.

[ImCoolBeans]

That is absurd. Being discouraged to form an extremely close relationship with a particular individual at a young age could set a child up terribly for all relationships in the future. Think of it this way; if you were brought up to not get too close or spend too much time with a single person because it was "bad", no good reason given, don't you think that you would find it hard to settle down and get married/have a life partner later on in life?

[Gothicdeer]

Wow...that is the most stupid thing I ever heard...it is almost as stupid as the policy at my school where you can't talk in the morning before the bell rings

[BrassMonkey]

That policy is complete Bull Crap! First of all, of they discipline the bullies right, that would help the bully rates go down. Just cutting down the amount of time you spend with your friend is just going to make the children social rate go down.....I have experienced being bullied, and I went to admin. about one problem, all they did was talked to them in the hallway. How about suspending the bullies a few days or taking away after school activities, but no. Well you know, if you taught the bullies a lesson, then they would think twice before they go bullying someone.

[NotASpyingRent]

This is unbelievably stupid. In fact, this takes stupid to a whole new level. I can easily see a situation where an individual has one and only one close friend; nobody else. Separating the two can have a devastating effect. I guess positive reform comes only after something bad happens.

[green]

wait wait wait, back up to the part where proffesional Russian said that its like the military. you dont get to close to anyone because they might get killed. You are making me think you are more ignorant every post you make. Im sorry but that is the complete opposite of anything ive ever been taught by the extended family of military personnel i have here in australia.

back on topic, yea stupid. not much you can do.

[karl]

This story sounds familiar to me and I've got a feeling I read about it in an English newspaper as something happening in English schools.

[Gandalf]

Absurd. What about the socially inept such as my self; who fear larger groups? This would have been like a prison sentence.