Should we teach kids to use force to fight bullies?

That is the only way to defeat them.

I tried both methods growing up but fighting back has solved most of my problems except for trouble with the vice principal at my school

I did, using martial arts as a base, plus some dirty little tricks and a bit of psychology.

but self-defense and self-assertion ...

It's the only way I'll whup ass and beat him like he stole something and send him crying to his mama.

Non violence only works on intelligent people not idiots!!

Malcolm X said using violence intelligently is self defense!!!

I would try to teach them to avoid it as much as possible, however I accept there may be times when it is unavoidable and I would not punish him/her for defending him/herself.

My dad told me "Never start a fight, but always finish one." As a child who was bullied, using force and convincing the bullies that I was more trouble than it was worth was the only effective way to get them to stop.

Yes and no: It depends. I probably should have voted yes, but I didn't want to be thought to express support for *initiating* force and violence as a means to solve problems.

"No" as in, it would be wrong to teach kids to lash out with violence in response to verbal bullying. Also, it would be a mistake to teach kids to go seeking out bullies to punish: "Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you."

"Yes" as in, we should teach kids to defend themselves fiercely if attacked, teach them to do it well, and teach them to pay no mind to loathesome adults with a zero tolerance policy who understand zero context and have zero brains.

If bullies try to goad or tear down my kids, I'll do what I can to give them the confidence to ignore it or outwit them. If a bully tries to give my kid a toilet swirlie or hurt him or her, I expect to get a call from the bully's crying parents shortly thereafter, and I'll punish my kid with a high-five. ;)

It depends on the situation. Self Defense can save your life.

But not to use it unless they have to, which they never will because if you stand up to a bully they always back down.

Just hold your ground kid!

Isn't there enough violence in the world without encouraging it?

I agree with the idea, but is better if they don't/can't defend themselves?

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO....

Teach kids NOT to be bullies!

Rip the damn bullies throats out, they are not people!

If force is initiated, force will be the result. Push my child and you will soon learn what "overwhelming response" really means.

3rd option plz!

Yes, but this would do nothing to stop producing bullies. I see bullying is a hereditary trait in that bullies are replaying the treatment they receive at home. They grow up and have kids and raise them the same way, and those kids become the bully and so on. What else but time can eradicate this? (Don't tell ME how to raise MY child!...familiar?)

Personally, I would use wit to defend wit, and fists to defend fists, don't cross the two.

Self defense is not just about running to tell an adult or to run away. Sometimes it means standing up and pushing back.

It's also a good way to build self confidence and self reliance. Not to mention word will get around that if you get messed with, you'll mess right back.

That is what I thought first, to build their confidence, not to get into fights.
You face up to a bully and you wont have to fight.

Sometimes however when facing up to a bully you must be ready to use force.

You have to be willing and it has to show, I agree.
You have to feel confident (or be able to act confident) and be willing to fight if you have to, then you never do, or i never have.

Yes, sometimes all it takes is a show of strength for some bullies to back down.

Having to fight bullies in school is a harsh and sometimes necessary life-lesson for kids. I had to do it, and I learned some important lessons that have served me well to this day:

1. The bullied will probably be condemned for physically defending themselves (authority will turn on the victim in order to cover their own ass).
2. The longer bullying is allowed to go on, the worse things are likelier to get for the victim or the bully (who may end up as the victim).
3. Being gentle and kind is seen as weakness by the stupid.
4. Don't get caught.

Kids definitely need to get support from home, because the most they'll usually get from other adults are words.

You, smart Canadian, you.
That should be a poster put up in schools. B)

Cheers, addie :)

Can you imagine if they posted the truth. lol

I Have taught my son, just as my parents taught me, Walk away when you can with out saying a word....... If you can Not walk away, you make sure you strike first, you strike, hard, you strike to kill, and you do NOT stop hitting untill they stop moving........

The last part might be a bit extreme for gradeschool, but overall, I still had to rave you. ;)

don't add to the fire. why make it worst than it already is.

i think another reason so many kids r bullied is b/c thye dont stand up for themselves b/c if they do then they get punished for it whish i think is stupid...

Amen to that!

finally someone who agrees with me!!!! there is someone with a brain!!!! hallelugha!!!!!

Heck no! Such an immature way to deal with the situation.

Defending one's self is immature? Anyway they are kids. lol

It has always worked for me.

no child should ever be afraid,they should not be taught to be aggressive,but they should be taught basic self defence. I went to live with my grandmother when i was 8 she was poor, so when i started school they thought they would bully the little girl. I never touched any of them , I smiled, I ignored, and when the day came that a boy decided to hit a little girl in the stomach, I just took it, i stood there, and just looked at him like really? now what ya gonna do he started crying, and ran away, I had no more problems. when he hit me I thought I was gonna throw up, but I knew now was not the time

They can figure it out for themselves. I don't think we should have to teach a course in school on it....

You don't need a school to teach kids things like this.

My point exactly.....you don't need a class on how to punch somebody in the face.

Force is all a bully understands. Fear of getting in a fight with a bully is often a bigger challenge than the fight itself.

If I had a son, I'd teach him very early on how to fight and give him his own punching dummy, so he can get used to feeling the impact. If he got suspended from school for pounding a bully, I'd treat him to whatever he wanted for dinner! The only thing I'd tell him is to fight OFF school grounds next time.