Parenting

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Do You Tell Your Kids to Fight Back?

Posted by Jeanne Sager

First rule of fight club, don't drive your 12-year-old to a scheduled throw down. Second rule of fight club, don't jump in and slap the other brat for messing with your kid. A California mom is facing jail time for backing up her tween in a girl fight  - and breaking both rules.

Obviously she stepped over the line somewhere, but where?

Shawnah Foster's daughter wouldn't have been attacked if her mother hadn't driven her to the park, where she knew the girls would spar. I'd hardly call it self defense. And a grown woman jumping in to fight a 12-year-old? Come on.

But even parents who won't lift their hand against their own kids are often unafraid to tell their kids to defend themselves - even if that means physically - when attacked by another kid. So where do you draw the line? Do you tell your kids to put their dukes up when self defense is on the line?

Image: University of Colorado

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From the Community…

Comments 1 of 1
  • Corina's Avatar
    Posted by Corina Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:21pm PDT

    If my kid is being constantly picked on and they have tried to take other routes and the other is kid is still picking on them then yes that's what I tell them.

    I have told my son when he has come home time and time again saying he was being bullied and the principal wouldn't do anything about to hit them back. If he can't get help taking care of the problem why should he stand by and let someone else beat him up.

    I wouldn't go out of my way to take him to a fight but if someone comes up and starts bullying him around I am all for him hitting them back to defend himself.

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