Page 10 - Mini-Module 6

School Leaders, Bullying
and Harsh Discipline

Some principals (and parents) believe that the only way to ‘combat’
bullying is to increase discipline. This is based on the
behaviouralists view that if bullies are punished harshly enough,
then they will learn to avoid the behaviour that led to the negative
consequence. This belief has led to policies such as ‘zero tolerance
to bullying’ which can be found in some schools. Unfortunately, if it
was this simple, then schools would have easily stamped out
bullying years ago, harsher discipline is not in itself effective,
because:

● discipline only works on behaviour which can be readily
determined and where there are clearly established rules, but
most acts of bullying are very difficult to assess. Discipline
can't stop insults or intimidation, when a girl says to another
that she no longer wants to play with her, is that a punishable
offence? Children often struggle with name-calling, with being
picked upon, and with exclusion from their peer group.

● the differences between bullying and other behaviours can be
unclear and contextual. The difference between bullying and
‘normal’ children social learning through interaction, such as,
bullying and ‘boys rough play’.

● bullying is about intimidating and inflicting suffering on others.
Harsher discipline may simply be entrenching a culture of
bullying. Small violence can also lead to big violence. An
adolescent suspended from school for bullying may trash or
vandalise the school or hurt other students after school.

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