A video recently shared on social media has sparked controversy in France. It shows a mother recounting how she discovered her daughter had been bullying a classmate. Faced with the seriousness of the situation, she chose to impose a public and exemplary punishment. Her reaction has now ignited a heated online debate between those who applaud her firmness and those who denounce it as unnecessary humiliation.
An immediate and symbolic reaction
According to the mother's testimony, discovering the bullying deeply shocked her. She explained that she could not ignore such behavior and decided to confront her daughter with the reality of her actions. The punishment was structured around three objectives: accountability, reparation, and awareness.
- The girl had to buy a gift for the classmate she had bullied, using her own money.
- She was then to hand-deliver the gift to him personally.
- And apologize to her in front of her, her parents, the teacher, and even other students.
For the mother, this approach aimed to make her daughter understand the seriousness of school bullying and to make her realize the effect of her actions on others.
Internet users are divided: between admiration and unease
On social media, the video was quickly shared and commented on thousands of times. Some people praised the mother's courage and consistency: "Well done to this mother! When other parents turn a blind eye, she takes action!" For them, her reaction is "an example of parental responsibility," at a time when bullying in schools is a scourge that is still too often downplayed.
Others, on the contrary, consider the punishment excessive and counterproductive: "Reprimanding in public is disrespectful. It's better to do it privately," "If it were my daughter, I wouldn't praise her, but I wouldn't yell at her either... I'd rather she be on the side of the bullies than the bullied." Some people believe that humiliating a child in front of their peers risks making things worse by turning them, in turn, into a victim.
@mag_manue.officiel My heart is breaking thinking about this little girl's pain 😞 #magandmanue #bullying #education #yfp #foryou ♬ original sound - 💖✨Mag&Manue✨💖 - 🦁 -
Can all the reactions be understood?
This debate raises a sensitive question: how should parents react to acts of bullying committed by their children? The line between education, firmness, and kindness is thin. While this mother's approach has the merit of not remaining silent about serious incidents, it also highlights the sensitivity required to correct behavior without causing harm.
The story of this mother and her daughter reveals a deep unease surrounding the fight against school bullying in France. Should we impose severe punishments to make an impact, or should we prioritize listening and mediation? The debate remains open, but one thing is certain: in a society where bullying claims many victims each year, recognizing and addressing the problem remains essential—even if the methods continue to be divisive.
Bravo à la maman. Elle a fait ce qu’il fallait. Le harcèlement peut pousser un enfant jusqu’à se suicider ce n’est donc pas anodin comme comportement. Je ne comprends même pas pourquoi certaines sont contre ce que la maman a fait. Elle ne l’a pas battu ni privé de quoi que ce soit. Elle l’a responsabilisé face à un acte qui ne se fait pas et qui peut avoir des conséquences dramatiques. Et je suis à peu près certaine que les deux petites filles deviendront les meilleures amies au monde. Le bien engendre le bien.