Very good article about an issue that the mainstream press doesn't write much about, parental liability in bullying cases.

It would be great to see a similar article about school liability, as that was a back issue in the Phoebe Prince case which probably drove subsequent legislation probably much more than parental liability -- if only because the taxpayer's pockets are much deeper than almost any parents' -- even when multiple offenders are alleged as were involved in the Prince case.

A short answer to this is yes, parents of bullies who engage in especially egregious cases of bullying should be liable, at least in practice they certainly become liable because it's difficult to imagine suing or jailing or otherwise legally sanctioning a minor without impacting their family, and parents, somehow. Of course this may mean that relatively innocent parties -- like most parents, I suppose -- may be overly impacted, but if we can't enforce civil or criminal sanctions against minors in cases like this, what are we left with? Detention? Take away their participation in sports?

Somehow that doesn't seem fair, or even likely -- it's more likely that the accused students would just quietly transfer to another school, which was what was apparently happening in the Prince case after Phoebe's suicide, until the Cullen at the Boston Globe wrote a column on the case and a prosecutor began an investigation leading to charges might be filed in the case.

Thanks for the article. I think I've become obsessed with this subject. My child was bullied by a child that we know. This child is really an isolated child herself. I found out that her mother trying to help her child using me to encourage the friendship between them since we are neighbors and they went to the same school. She would offer to help me as a single parent. It was nice having a friend. This child threatened my child physically and emotionally and I didn't believe it. But, it was finally confirmed by a parent and teacher it was shocking.

The child threatened to kill my child in graphic details and though the teacher tried to protect the other child, the principal told me in graphic details of the threat. I didn't know was this behavior that the school and family knew about this behavior. It was recently communicated to me she acts out in this manner towards her younger sibling. The parents knew and the school knew. My child went from an A/B student to C student. She started acting out and strangely in class not wanting to be in school; always crying and depressed. I later found out this was not unusual for a 9 y.o. dealing with stress like this. Especially, when a Mom could not believe children this young would do or say things like this and she was a friend’s child, too.

My child didn't manage the stress well other children started bully not with the same intensity; but, I think it was they didn't want to get on the other child’s hit list. However, one child stood up and that's when it was clear that the threats were scary and real. The child was punished; no recess, silent lunch and parents spoken to but she's still at the school. I also found out this happened before and I was not informed. Unbelievable.

We are better now, my daughter moved to a new school but the cost and stress has cause financial challenges and a need for therapy which we are both receiving. I heard the Mom was upset because I didn't and really couldn't speak with her. I never communicated with her after threats were confirmed. I was told her daughter's in therapy 3 times a week. So I made the mistake of reaching out to her to tell her I just couldn't speak about it when I found out what was going on. She in returns start says it’s good my child is having a fresh start. I just don't understand what's going on. It wasn't like that. But, the principal had informed me; and tried to minimalize it but the threat was so gruesome and my daughter was so upset, I was told. I finally realized that mental illness, bullying and friendship should not be an excuse for a child who bullies and is deeply disturbed. She made excuses for therapy until it was probably mandated; but, we still live in the same place.

I now feel the parent should be responsible in some way especially when it's documented that they hurt a child mentally or physically. There are so many services available in schools. By the way this was a private school. But, other children shouldn't have to be the victim of the anger of a bully because a parent wants to pretend that making cupcakes or an ice cream playdate will remedy to the situation. Don't get me wrong there is a no tolerance policy if my child exhibits the same behavior. But, I expect the same in the world there are too many excuses by parents and no one is accountable.

I don't think there is a stock answer to this question. Hold the parents accountable ? Sure if, and only if, you can prove that the parents (1) either did somnething to their kid that caused the behavior or (2) actively tried to cover up the problem of bullying

I disagree that you should not tell your children to fight back - as a child I was bullied until I fought. Once I did fight back, the bullying ceased - permanently

It is a problem to which there is no easy answer but I think simply filing lawsuits will do NOTHING to solve the problem if the desire is to find a general solution to the problem. That will take better training of teachers and others charged with supervision of other peoples children to enable them to identify the problem more quickly.

Understand this: sometimes good and loving parents who do everything right can still wind up with a bad child. Not every problem in the world has a good solution or deserves compensation