IS your child being bullied at school?

Ignore it. It might be good for him.

A British university lecturer believes that such experiences actually help a child handle difficult events in the future.

Dr Helene Guldberg, associate lecturer in child development at the Open University, is encouraging teachers not to protect students from playground spats.

She said such fretting 'over the supposedly terrible dangers of bullying in the playground, can do more harm than good', reported the Daily Mail.

Dr Guldberg said it takes away from children 'the experiences they need to develop', such as being able to resolve their own disagreements.

She said it also stunts their development and harms their social interaction with others.

'In effect, we will prevent them from growing up,' she added.

Dr Guldberg's controversial claims were made in an article for an online publication. She was promoting her new book, Reclaiming Childhood: Freedom And Play In An Age Of Fear.

She also contends that our definition of bullying is sometimes inaccurate.

She said real bullying is a serious problem for only a small number of children, and 'much that is defined as bullying today is not bullying at all'.

Instead, she defines it as 'boisterous banter or everyday playground disputes that could - and should - be resolved without adult intervention'.

Allow teachers to educate

She also believes that society tends to be obsessed with the problem of bullying and doing that doesn't help teachers either.

'Teachers are increasingly lumbered with the task of looking after children's health and well-being, rather than being allowed to get on with the task of educating them,' she said.

Not alone in her opinions, Dr Guldberg cited an American sociologist, Mr William Corsaro, who claims that arguments and teasing can 'help bring children together and help organise activities'.

Dr Corsaro also believes such disputes can add 'creative tension' that makes playing more fun.

Dr Guldberg's comments have drawn fire from anti-bullying campaigners.

Mr Richard Piggin, executive manager of the charity group Beatbullying, said: 'When it is repetitive behaviour and there is clear power imbalance, it is bullying.

'If we do not intervene early to tackle bullying behaviour, including name-calling, rumour-spreading and group exclusion, it can escalate into more problematic behaviours which are then harder to address.'

Added Ms Sue Steel, national manager of the Anti-Bullying Alliance: 'Children who are being bullied often find it difficult to tell anyone. Teachers can help by maintaining an appropriate level of vigilance.'

At the UK's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, calls asking for help about bullying form the largest number of calls received on the society's helpline.

Mr Chris Cloke, its head of child protection and diversity, believes the effects of bullying 'can be long lasting and deeply affect a child's happiness, esteem and performance at school'.

He added: 'A child should not be made to feel victimised, threatened or intimidated. In extreme circumstances, bullying can leave children emotionally scarred for years and may even push them to the brink of suicide.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Feb 1, 2009.