Psychology: youngsters who stand up to aggressors are more likely to develop social and emotional skills
UPDATE 10/24/10: Mom allows daughter to be bullied (video)
-- From "Bullying can be good for children" by Maurice Chittenden, The Sunday Times (UK) 5/23/10
A little childhood bullying may be good for you. Researchers have found that if boys or girls are able to stand up for themselves, being attacked by enemies can help their development.
Studies have shown that children become more popular among, and respected by, teachers and fellow pupils if they repay hostility in kind. They remember such experiences more vividly than friendly episodes, helping them to develop healthy social and emotional skills.
The research shows that while bullying is not always character-building, there can be advantages to being shouted at, or ostracised on Facebook.
In a series of experiments, psychologists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), measured the friendships and hostile relationships of 2,000 schoolchildren aged 11 and 12.
The experience gives children an early lesson that not everybody is going to like them in life and teaches them about conflict resolution.
Many successful people have identified being bullied at school and opting to fight back as a turning point in their lives.
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