Tough Mother Makes Son Wear T-Shirt Declaring He Is A Bully & Gains Internet Fame

Sep 09, 2024

Bullying has long been a bane in the human experience and one that continues to exist, whether in school, at the workplace or even at home. However, these days, bullying is being taken more seriously as it can affect a victim’s self-esteem, as well as physical and mental well-being. Bullying is no longer being seen as just a phase but as deviant behavior that needs to be addressed and stopped.

Bullying can take on many different forms, with all kinds of people exhibiting repeated behavior using acts of control or aggression to harm, intimidate, or manipulate their victims. Bullies come in all shapes and forms, from the mean girls in high school to overbearing bosses at work. 

According to the American Psychological Association, bullying can “take the form of physical contact, words, or more subtle actions” and “repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort.” It added that for both bullying targets and bullies themselves, there is “potential for long-term negative mental health outcomes,” such as anxiety, low self-esteem and depression.

Public awareness and growing disdain for bullying have risen in recent years, as exemplified by one Texas mom’s experience in 2018. The mom, named Star, detailed her experience of discovering that her own son was a bully and the steps she took to address it. 

She told KTRK she was shocked to find out that her son, who was in 5th grade, had been calling some of his other classmates “idiots” and “stupid.” Horrified by his behavior, she decided to teach him a lesson that drew mixed reactions from the public.

“I did what I had to do to stop it from progressing,” she said.

After discovering that her young son had been calling other students names, Star decided to teach her son that his behavior was unacceptable. She did this by forcing him to wear a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “I am a bully.”

Star also posted photos of her son wearing the T-shirt on Facebook but took the post down after it elicited some harsh criticism. Star, who described herself as an “old school parent” who doesn’t coddle her kids, also had her son apologize to all the classmates he had insulted.

“I wanted to do something that would teach him why he can’t do those things, why he needs to take other people into consideration,” she told Fox News.

The tough mom said the administration at her son’s school supported her decision fully. The school told KTRK in a statement that “ensuring a safe physical emotional and social environment” was one of its core principles and that following the incident, it had a counselor check in on the children and parents involved.

Many also lauded the mom for her stern and decisive action. 

“Bravo to this Mom!!!! Good old-fashion discipline!!! He'll be straight as an arrow after that,” one user commented, while another said: “Way to go Mom! Kids need to be taught respect and that is the responsibility of a parent.”

However, not everyone thought Star’s decision was a good one. Child psychiatrist Dr. Richard Pesikoff told the outlet that while he understood why Star had done what she had done, it could negatively affect her son.

“Not a good idea to embarrass your child and solidify a negative identity in an elementary school child. She needs to find somebody to help her and I think the school is one resource,” he explained.

What do you think of the mom’s tough way of dealing with her son? Would you consider something similar if you were in her position? Let us know, then pass this along to friends and family to get their take on the issue too!