Should children be taught that it's okay to fight back under certain circumstances?

Answer 1

yes. we all have to stick up for ourselves sometimes

Answer 2

A definite Yes! But only in certain circumstances, eg., when they are continually being oppressed and bullied by a peer. One of my sons, who is now a father himself, was always happy to go to school and was a popular member of his class. When he was 7 or 8, we moved and he had to change schools. That's when the 'tummy aches' started every morning, but he kept denying that there was anything wrong at school. After a week or so, I had a word with his class teacher and told her I suspected bullying and she spoke to my son with me present. My suspicions were correct and he said he was frightened to fight back, because he was a new boy and thought he would get into trouble. The teacher gave him 'permission' to stand up for himself and next day he went off happily to school. The perpetrators of the bullying had discovered that my son wasn't a 'weed' and became his friends. Some may say that the teacher was wrong in doing this, but had she spoken to those who were doing the bullying, then their idea that my son was timid would have been reinforced and nothing would have been resolved. Boys sometimes have to 'prove' themselves, but should not be encouraged to become violent for the sake of it. There are, of course, some children who do not have an appetite for fighting, no matter what the reason, and nobody will ever change their pacifist nature. They prefer to walk away every time and they must be left to do this and work things out for themselves, even though it's very difficult for the parent who has to stand by and watch. Incidentally, the son who tackled the bullies, never became a bully himself. I'm pleased to say that he became one of the most popular boys in his schools and an excellent sportsman.

Answer 3

Yes I think so, The school system over here in the UK has major bullying problems, and if you have children in the school system that encounter bullying, you seem to find the schools take the stance of passive persuasion with the bully. The affected child is made to feel wrong for wanting to retaliate and the bullying child seems to have all the stops pulled out for them, it's just wrong on so many levels. I was always brought up to ignore it or walk away, when in actual fact this is detrimental, I have found that if you are assaulted by a bully, hit him back bigger and harder, and he will think twice next time. This is the principle I am giving my children. Sometimes you have to fight to be right, all the best.

Answer 4

Yes, I do think so.
The best is to teach them to recognize those circumstances; And I would say that it starts at home.
When they don't agree with you; When they are unhappy about a situation. It's worth discussing with them and see what's going on in their mind; It's worth watching some films with them and use some sequences to possibly explain how fighting back is a good thing at times; Also, fitghting back is not necessarily being physically violent. It's standing up for oneself; And there are more than one way to do so.KC.x

Answer 5

Yes, yes, yes! Do you want your child to be the patsy everyone kicks around? Children are mean to each other and have a mob mentality. They will pick on the child who does not fight back. Another thing if they are not taught to fight back what will they do if someone tries to grab them. You have to teach them not to start fights but not to let anyone beat on them. Be sure to teach them strategies for fighting back if someone tries to take them. Being nonviolent is good as long as you know how to take care of yourself.

Answer 6

They Should be told to never start a fight or hit girls and to defend those weaker than them selves. But it is important that they know how to fight. Boy's and fighting is a natural state of growing up and working out who you are and where you fit in the hierarchy.
It is not the fact that they need to win every fight they are involved in it is the fact that they dont back down and stand up for what is right.
I have had 7 shades of Sh*it kicked out of me by three black muggers because I refused to give them any money. It has a lot to do with self respect. I may not have won but they got nothing from me and went home with a fair few cuts and bruise's of their own.
School is a hard place and you will never have as many fights anywhere else in your life! It is better to be able to handle yourself than be completely defenceless and end up with low self esteem and bullyied for the rest of your life!!
They should also be told never to speak to strangers or go with strangers and should be told the scream for help if someone trys to take them anywhere without being told directly by a parent.
They should be told to fight back and kick and scream for help.

Fu*ck the being polite! we live in world full of paedo's, weirdo's, Queers and other sexual deviants and we should put the protection of children first!!!

Answer 7

No, no kid should be taught to fight. Just raise him/her up to become a morally good person. They should be able to decide when is it necessary to fight back. If they hit back every time they are pushed accidentally, you only make them more violent. I did defend myself when I was bullied, but I'm proud that I often didn't fight back because I found the source of the conflict too ridiculous.

Answer 8

it was a nice"ideal" when people said children should be taught to walk away and all that namby pamby clap-trap but the system has changed and as long as children do not become bullies themselves then teach them they are there own person and that nobody has the right to touch them inappropriately child/adult a like and that name calling is said by "spite full children" and to ignore them i am a mom of 5 in dependant children who hate any form of bullying and have no problems mixing with the "out casted"children you have some nasty little b****ards out there and this is bred by the parents ignorance

Answer 9

I have taught my children that everyone deserves to be respected and we should always treat others how we want to be treated. When someone is mean or nasty to you, then that is how they themselves want to be treated. The first plan of action is to try to ignore it or fix it with words...if it is a bully situation. The next step is to tell an adult.

If an ADULT is trying to hurt them, then they have been told where to kick, and to make as much noise as possible to get any ones attention they can. I have taught my children the age old rule of "respecting their elders" but I added if they are trying to hurt you then they do not deserve respect.

Answer 10

yes, or they will just get picked on all the way through life. Teach them to be tollerant, but at the same time, explain to them when enough is enough. My sons school does not allow hitting back at all. If that is his answer when he gets caught they just say, they are both as bad as each other, despite the fact that it was ten hits to one. Anyway, I told him to get him round the corner where no one could see and let him have it. All it takes is one good hit, and they will not bother him anymore. I also enrolled my son in boxing and kung fu clubs to boost his confidence, as well as his strength. He does not get bothered now, and is never in trouble either, so it did not make him become the bully either. Good luck

Answer 11

Yes - what they are learning now in childhood will be first nature to them in adulthood and they should definitely know that its OK - what happens when they are attacked as adults? - should they just take it - should they fight back after thinking about it 5 mins and possibly be dead before they go through all of the rules in their head to decide if its OK ?