An interesting approach.
Shawano is a city in the state of Wisconsin, and they have come up with an unorthodox strategy for dealing with bullying in schools.
WLUK report that the city’s council passed an ordinance which allows for parents to be fined if their child is found to be a bully.
The parent will first be warned if the police determine their child has been involved in bullying, and they will have 90 days to address the behaviour of their kid.
If after three months the child is still bullying, the parents will be fined $366, and two instances in a year will equal a hefty $681 fine.
A local parent, Kylee Jones, said it was a great idea, and the time frame before a fine is issued would allow for the child to learn from their behaviour and change as a person.
“They have three months where maybe their kid can go to counseling and move on from there and maybe get to know the situation at hand and why they bullied to begin with.”
A few parents were concerned about how the ordinance would be enforced, as the definition of bullying varies from person to person.
Police chief Mark Kohl said:
“This isn’t generated towards the kids being kids, some playground banter.This is the person that is meticulously using social media or saying things that are vulgar in an attempt to hurt, discredit, and really demean a person.”
No fines have been issued in the two weeks since the initiative began.
(Lead image via Simpsons.wikia.com)
