Bullying is a long standing problem in schools.  It has prompted a number of ill thought out responses. The latest comes from Kentucky, which passes a law allowing a court to suspend the driver’s licenses of alleged bullies.  Even a bully “convicted” in grade school would have the ability as a teen revoked.

There are many reasons such an approach is ineffective.  First and foremost, manifestations of force never work.  What happens is a few kids get tarred and feathered for behavior that’s widespread among their peers, and you end up with a system of arbitrary punishment that harms some kids while offering little value as a deterrent.

Second, punishing bullies, especially through initiatives like this, only further provokes their ire.  If a bully is brought to court and punished, they come away more determined than ever to torment (or have their friends torment) the kids who got them in trouble.

Finally, it isn’t always easy to tell victim from bully.  The problem transcends these labels and situations are usually more complicated than they first appear.

The causes of bullying are complex, and we need a comprehensive, prosocial approach to dealing with it.  Punitive laws have never worked, and never will.

More information on bullying:

• Anti-bullying laws and legislation
• Causes of bullying
• Learn about bullying