A Texas mother, Star, took drastic measures to address her son’s bullying behavior at Greenleaf Elementary School. After administrators informed her of his actions, Star decided to teach him a lesson in empathy.
Star’s son had been calling his classmates “idiots” and “stupid.” To drive home the impact of his words, Star created a T-shirt with the bold proclamation: “I am a BULLY.” She wanted her son to experience the humiliation he had inflicted on others.
Star wasn’t concerned about shielding her son from criticism; instead, she sought to make a point. “I’m an old-school parent,” she explained. “I don’t coddle my children or sugarcoat the world.” Star posted a picture of her son wearing the shirt on Facebook, hoping to reach parents of children her son may have bullied.
The post sparked intense debate. While some praised Star’s tough love approach, others felt it crossed a line. A child psychiatrist from Baylor College of Medicine expressed concerns that embarrassing her son could solidify a negative identity and harm his emotional well-being.
Despite criticism, Star stood firm. She claimed her son learned a valuable lesson: “I didn’t like the way that felt, and I don’t want anybody else to feel that way because of me.” Star argued that her approach achieved its intended goal.
Splendora ISD, the school district, supported Star’s right as a parent to make decisions for her child. However, experts in child development continue to question the effectiveness and potential long-term consequences of Star’s unconventional method.
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: Star’s unorthodox approach has ignited a crucial conversation about effective discipline and teaching empathy to children. Was Star’s punishment too harsh, or did it drive home a necessary lesson?
