Can babies beat bullying?

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I read Saturday's PI article, "Anti-bullying program aims to teach students empathy" with a degree of skepticism. I mean, the baby was very cute and all, but cute enough to impact "massive covert bullying" (from the article) in the schools?

(The program, Roots of Empathy, brings a local newborn and his parents into classrooms nine times a year, with a certified instructor leading discussion around the baby's needs and feelings. This is meant to create empathy among the students, in turn reducing the rates of aggression and bullying.)

I shared my skepticism with a friend, who coincidentally is reading a book, Field Notes on a Compassionate Life, by Marc Barasch. The very first chapter cites research on oxytocin, a hormone believed to drive mother-infant bonding and love. Quoting from the book, p. 18-19:

"In the presence of a baby," notes neuroscientist Sue Carter of Chicago's Psychiatric Institute, "both males and females will produce oxytocin, leading to tender, maternal-like feelings. How might this translate into other sorts of social attachment?" Given that, as Carter points out, "A single exposure to oxytocin can make a lifelong change in the brain," it's not a trivial question. Some suspect that oxytocin is the culprit in 'helper's high,' those glowing feelings of warmth and well-being described by almost everyone who does volunteer work. A group of UCLA researchers is studying the link between oxytocin and the emotion they call "love of humanity," wondering if the hormone might be the actual milk of human kindness.

After hearing that, the Roots of Empathy program being piloted in Seattle sounds promising. I'm still a bit skeptical--not about the potential for the program, but for the ability of the district to support this work with clear behavior expectations and consequences (and resources such as counseling) for students who do bully others or habitually misbehave.

An interesting aside--the same school featured this past Saturday--Dearborn Park Elementary--was mentioned back in September in a PI article on uneven reporting of school crimes by SPS. Hopefully, the decision to pilot the anti-bullying program at this school and a few others, before expanding it next year, indicates the district is taking bullying seriously.

What do you think?

Posted by at December 31, 2007 7:30 a.m.
Categories: Children, Education, K-12, School policy, Schools, Seattle Schools

Comments

#80153

Posted by unregistered user at 12/31/07 10:38 a.m.

I was happy to read that the schools are trying something like the Roots of Empathy program. Academic knowledge is definitely important but much research has shown that good relationships with others is one of the most important factors in living a satisfying life.

How often do you hear adults complaining about their cutthroat workplaces and spiteful coworkers? Many adults would benefit from a deeper sense of empathy. Maybe if the kids get it early in their lives our whole society will become a happier place to live.

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#80474

Posted by unregistered user at 1/1/08 12:28 p.m.

AN ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA HOWEVER
I AGREE THAT COUNSELING; DR CK UPS, ETC SHOULD GO HAND IN
HAND WITH THAT. SO OFTEN A "BULLY" IS EITHER REPEATING
WHAT IS DONE TO THEM ELSEWHERE OR HAS A REAL PYSC/MED
PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. BESIDES,THAT'S A LOT
TO EXPECT FROM BABIES ALONE.

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