Stronger Than Wrong

     Unfortunately, bullying in schools seems to cross generations, although the forms of harmful and hurtful behavior have certainly changed over the years. The days of in-person aggressive intimidation and overt physical confrontation may sadly still exist in some places, but now kids also have to deal with the equally mean-spirited (and often anonymous) cyber attacks and social media harassment intended to do a different type of harm. In the past, when names were called, or scuffles broke out, the poor behavior was confined to only those in involved and in attendance. Nowadays, the names and images can be shared to countless people, with no expiration. This reality can undoubtedly create a feeling of angst for kids and parents alike, in recognizing the vulnerabilities that exist in these new forms of bullying.

     Schools have shown increased commitment to reducing bullying, while also acknowledging the inherent limitations in eradicating it. The very definition of bullying appears to be changing as well, at least in practical terms, from something that was described as a repetitive act of aggressive power over another, to now including ostracism, exclusion, singular acts, and even any behavior which is deemed hurtful or mean. Given the reality that bullying continues despite school attempts to eliminate it, along with the changing definition and frequent use of the term “bully,” it seems clear that a new method of addressing the problem is long overdue.

      Stronger Than Wrong is a bully prevention program unlike the others. Instead of solely focusing on the identification, purpose, punishment, and reduction of bullies, our program is designed to take a step back and inform the entire student body of right versus wrong, and the ease of doing wrong versus the difficulty of doing right. We then facilitate ways to reinforce doing right within the community, school, and peer groups, along with identifying the wrong actions being committed in those settings. The training then focuses on building the strength to withstand the effects of the wrong-doers, and to sustain levels of self-confidence and pride in doing right. Empowering those who withstand the wrong actually limits the effect of the bully behavior, which subsequently redirects the aggressive behavior due to the lack of associated reward. In other words, we address the problem of prevention bullying by neutralizing the actual effects of the bullies. We cannot control how bullies tend to act, but we can control the extent to which we allow them to impact our levels of confidence, happiness, and ambition. We don’t have to let wrong beat us, we can all be Stronger Than Wrong!

Please contact us to help your child or your school neutralize the effects of bullying.