Why are **children** expected to cope with an environment that would win an adult MILLIONS if it happened in the workplace?
Children are expected to overcome abuse that, if it were adults doing it, would generate **felony** charges?
You took the words right out of my mouth. It’s ridiculous what kids are expected to “try to ignore “
Zero tolerance has only made things worse. Mouthy little weasels used to be stopped with a physical response-teaching a jerky kid a one time lesson is not bullying. Now the slimy kids get away with constant verbal jabs and subtle pushing, poking and tripping with it. Any kid defending himself gets caught up in zero tolerance punishment.
FWIW, parents can stand up to administrators when that’s happens. Military friend of ours told the middle school principal and counselor (both female) that they were “worthless in this situation” , his son did exactly what he taught him to do when physically attacked, the teacher failed to prevent it despite being aware of the constant provocation from other kid, and as far as he was concerned it’s over with no further punishment at home or from the school. That was that, the school dropped his son’s suspension.