Comment: Harsh discipline alone won’t help school bullies mend their ways

SHARP DISCIPLINE HAS VERY LITTLE INSTRUCTORY VALUE

Traditionally, detention and suspension are common disciplinary tools that schools use to give perpetrators clear, negative consequences and send the message that bullying is not tolerated. Sticks are also used as a last resort.

Although such disciplinary measures are used as an immediate response to misconduct, their long-term effectiveness in correcting behavior is limited. Detention can be a temporary deterrent, but it often fails to address the underlying problems that lead to bullying.

Suspension, on the other hand, can be counterproductive. For some students, suspension may feel like a reward, meaning a break from school, rather than a consequence of their actions.

Moreover, both domestic and international research shows that the use of harsh discipline has little instructional value. The intended message is often masked by physical and emotional pain, so much so that children comply out of fear. Traditional disciplinary measures may not help students fully understand why and how they should behave prosocially.

THE NEED FOR A HOLISTIC APPROACH

To effectively rehabilitate bullies, a more holistic approach is needed, combining traditional disciplinary measures with counseling and restorative actions.

Counseling can help students understand the impact of their behavior, develop empathy, and learn better ways to interact with their peers. Often, counseling can provide a way to uncover and correct the underlying issues that contribute to bullying behavior in the first place.

These include addressing modeled aggression in the home or peer context and supporting bullies to find socially acceptable ways to access resources and peer support. Restorative practices, such as mediated conversations between bully and victim, can promote accountability and healing.