New Punishment for Bullying: Shunning

PHOTO: teenink.com

I never did understand how bullying a bully helps to stop him/her from bullying, but an elementary school in Colorado Springs has decided to initiate an "experiment" on purposeful shunning.

It’s all part of a new anti-bullying campaign meant to build empathy? however it’s stirring up a bit of controversy.

Fourth through sixth grade students (ages 9 - 12) have been taking turns wearing special stickers (a la "The Scarlet Letter") on their collars to indicate that they are to be shunned by classmates. 

According to the rules of the exercise, students are not allowed to tease or be mean to those wearing the stickers. 

Based on my personal experience, I have doubts about these "behavior modification" type practices when imposed on typically developing children, and I think this raises some serious ethical questions.  ( Just my observation. )

But how about you, as an educator or parent, what do you think? 

If you are a mental health expert, we welcome your comments as well. Please add them in the comments area below. 

You can read the full article here:

Kids Told to Shun Classmates to Show How Bullying Feels




RELATED:

A Terrifying Report: Child Abuse in Texas Schools and Your State Too