Mother outraged after seeing son bullied at Thai school

[webfact]

Photo courtesy of Sanook

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

A mother intervened after witnessing her child being bullied at school, eventually deciding to transfer the child to a different class. Despite seeking help from teachers, the situation did not improve, highlighting ongoing concerns about bullying in educational settings.

 

Children, especially those in kindergarten, require vigilant supervision from parents and teachers. Lacking self-defence skills, young children can often become targets for those seeking amusement at their expense. A report from a Vietnamese news site recently drew public attention to a distressing incident involving a young boy. This child, wearing a green shirt and black trousers, was bullied by a classmate wearing a green shirt and orange trousers, evoking widespread sympathy and concern.

 

The incident occurred as the boy in black trousers was sitting on the classroom floor, playing cards. The other child not only turned his back and kicked the boy in the face but also sat on his neck, pushing him to the ground.

 

The bullied boy did not retaliate but allowed the torment to continue. His mother, who captured the incident on camera, expressed her sorrow upon witnessing her son being bullied in such a manner.

“I know I must teach my child to react to such behaviour but that classmate still enjoys bullying him. Even after seeking help from the teacher, nothing changed. That’s why I decided to transfer my son to a different class and continue teaching him.”

 

The incident sparked outrage among many who condemned the bullying behaviour. Simultaneously, others stressed the importance of teaching children to defend themselves and respond to bullying effectively.

 

Bullying in kindergarten settings is not uncommon. If parents fail to intervene promptly, children may suffer both physical and emotional harm. The dilemma remains whether teaching a child to fight back or to submit is the best solution in such scenarios, reported Sanook.

 

Photo courtesy of Sanook

Experts have identified three types of parental approaches when dealing with school bullying:

 

The first approach involves teaching children to surrender. Parents who adhere to this philosophy instruct their children daily to live harmoniously and yield to classmates. If a child is harmed, it is often dismissed as mere play, with no need for retaliation or acknowledgement as bullying.

 

Psychological experts warn this method may result in children becoming shy, lacking confidence, and unwilling to report bullying to parents, believing it will be dismissed as child’s play.

 

The second approach advocates for children to retaliate when harmed. While defending oneself is not inherently wrong, unclear explanations from parents about what constitutes self-defence versus retaliation can lead children to think retaliation is always justified.

This may eventually lead them to resort to physical actions instead of verbal communication, making peaceful interactions difficult as they grow older.

 

The third approach advises children to protect themselves without retaliating.

 

“When someone hurts you, protect yourself but don’t retaliate. You might cry loudly, shout, or run away to attract the attention of teachers or adults or ask those around you for help. They will protect you, and that’s how you can protect yourself.”

 

Displaying such behaviour not only helps children protect themselves but also raises awareness about resisting bullying. It encourages the development of a personality that is neither weak nor overly aggressive. For these reasons, experts recommend this approach as the most effective when children are harmed by peers.

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-11-28

 

 

[novacova]

My mom was outraged when a punk picked on me. She put me in martial arts training and told me next time kick his ass!

[nikmar]

My lad was picked on for being "farang ki nok" for a while. A few Muay Thai classes and it ceased to be a problem. It wasnt so much as a "thump someone who gives you lip", but  more  a gaining of self confidence enough to confront his bullies. Once confronted they backed down.

 

Edited Thursday at 03:21 AM by nikmar

[Artisi]

19 minutes ago, novacova said:

My mom was outraged when a punk picked on me. She put me in martial arts training and told me next time kick his ass!

And did you? 

[Tanlic]

Test

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, novacova said:

My mom was outraged when a punk picked on me. She put me in martial arts training and told me next time kick his ass!

My father taught me, if a bully comes near you put up both hands in front of you, they'll grab your hands and you kick them in the crown jewels.. worked first time for me.

Said bully couldn't walk straight all day and left me alone.

[Grumpy one]

Who is the bully in the photo.

The kid sticking his arse in someone's face  

[richard_smith237]

I was bullied a couple of times by the older pikey kids... 

Complaints fell on deaf ears....   my Father said deal with it...  no issues from him if defended myself. 

 

A few weeks later, my parents were summoned to the school because, apparently, I had become "quick to react with my fists." .... while I waited outside the room, I overheard my father letting them have it, tearing into them for failing to do their job properly. It was a moment that stayed with me, seeing him fiercely defend me against their incompetence.... (oh, he also told me if I ever put the 'boot in' I'm in big trouble, never kick anyone once they are down !!!)

 

 

I've passed on the same advice to my son... don't start anything, but if someone is bulling him, I'll support him for sticking up for himself...

... There's a total 'wrong-un' in my Sons school year, he's hurt multiple kids...  Stabbed one with a pencil, bitten another, chipped teeth of another boy....    The school seem overwhelmingly soft on this boy seemingly believing they can rehabilitate him rather than prioritising the safety of other students... 

I've told my son to keep well clear of this boy - he's a tantrum away from stabbing a kid in the eye or neck... 

...  various parents have written letters to the school - so they are on notice, if anything happens involving this boy legal action will be taken due to their failure of duty to protect the students... 

... the issue of course, its one of the best schools in Thailand and parents don't want to remove their kid from a school due to one 'wrong-un'....  Its his parents fault, they do absolutely nothing, I mean nothing at all to discipline the child and the mother seems actively frightened of him.

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

37 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

... the issue of course, its one of the best schools in Thailand 

If they let the kid bully other kids all the time, they are not a good school.

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

42 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

... the issue of course, its one of the best schools in Thailand 

If they let the kid bully other kids all the time, they are not a good school.

 

Then you'd be wrong - its is what I believe to be the Top School in Thailand - it is certainly without doubt one of the top four schools in Thailand

(Amongst - Harrow, Patana, Shrewsbury, ISB and slightly behind those, Shrewsbury, NIST and Bangkok Prep).... 

 

I just disagree with the manner in which they are 'attempting to teach and control' a child I think is beyond help and potentially a danger to the other students - that said, they are the experts and know better than I what goes on the school - its their job to handle this professionally even if I disagree with them.

 

As far as my sons academic record and his enjoyment of school is concerned - the school itself is simply outstanding - its just one 'wrong-un' ruining it for a few other kids... 

 

 

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Then you'd be wrong - its is what I believe to be the Top School in Thailand - it is certainly without doubt one of the top four schools in Thailand

(Amongst - Harrow, Patana, Shrewsbury, ISB and slightly behind those, Shrewsbury, NIST and Bangkok Prep).... 

 

I just disagree with the manner in which they are 'attempting to teach and control' a child I think is beyond help and potentially a danger to the other students - that said, they are the experts and know better than I what goes on the school - its their job to handle this professionally even if I disagree with them.

 

As far as my sons academic record and his enjoyment of school is concerned - the school itself is simply outstanding - its just one 'wrong-un' ruining it for a few other kids... 

 

I believe that their academic program is good, which is very important but if they can't give a safe environment, I can't find it a good school.

[kingstonkid]

Taught daughter how to fight.  Sent a letter with her to school.  Teacher already knew me so was not surprised but took daughter and note to the principal.  He called me at work and I had my boss listen in.  The note simply said that she could do whatever was needed to defend herself because the school could not.

 

Principal said he didn't understand. I said 2 girls threatening her a 2x4 on the ground batter up.

 

Principal asked what would stop her from starting trouble. Her tea her laughed and said you don't know her dad

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

I believe that their academic program is good, which is very important but if they can't give a safe environment, I can't find it a good school.

 

If you want to judge based on one single facet - thats up to you as you say...

... over 2000 parents consider otherwise...  I think the kid is a wrong-un and shouldn't be there, but its not my choice, I'm not the paid professional. 

[BangkokReady]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“I know I must teach my child to react to such behaviour but that classmate still enjoys bullying him. Even after seeking help from the teacher, nothing changed. That’s why I decided to transfer my son to a different class and continue teaching him.”

 

This is pretty much standard for Thailand.  No one wants to get involved in case they see some sort of consequences.  Same with most disciplinary issues.  The victim generally has to leave.

[novacova]

7 hours ago, Artisi said:

And did you? 

No. 

[DonniePeverley]

There is definately some weird ass bullying going on in schools here. It's not the same type of bullying you see in the west, it's more medievil way deep level psychological crazyness. 

 

There isn't really a culture here to take bullying serious like it is in the UK or USA. 

[AlexRich]

I'm an advocate of getting your retaliation in first, at the first signs that someone intends to hit you. No point in waiting to get hit before you act. Bullies are wary of kids who hit back because they are fearful of the humiliation that comes from getting beat. So they go for the line of least resistance - the kids that don't hit back. A lesson I learned in my first two years in school. Even if you lose it is still worth the effort, as a bully doesn't want to put the work in, they will avoid you. I've never been inside a jail, but I understand that the same rule applies if you are incarcerated? 

[john donson]

little psychopaths, bully, then politician or army dude

[simon43]

A school which really cared for its youngest students would instill into them right from the start that any kind of bullying is totally unacceptable. At all the schools that I've taught at in Myanmar (and I teach KG and lower primary), the young students are taught that bullying is an absolute no-no.  The teachers (who take the role of parents while the student is at the school), regularly remind students of this and I've never witnessed any bullying at my schools.