School banning banter

[Citrusblast92u]

DS is in year 11. They had a whole school assembly yesterday's entitled 'banning bants', this includes banter between friends. One strike and they're in detention, 2 and they have to attend a workshop, 3 and parents have to attend the workshop, 4 and the police are called.

I asked him what they meant by bants and he said anything that anyone might find offensive. His mates have spent many hours at our house. They're a lovely bunch of lads, very polite and kind but their main form of communication with each other is piss taking.

Just after some opinions really rather than an AIBU.

Yabu-banter should be banned
Yanbu-they can't ban banter

Free speech- heard it all now!

I did my Master's Thesis about bullying in school. It usually begins with what the perpetrator calls banter. It's very difficult to stop. I applaud any school taking a stand and identifying what is unacceptable. Well done to that school.

@Everanewbie

I'm a broken record, but its context, context, context.

That is the point I was trying to make.

It is not easy to tell the difference between poking fun and tormenting because context is everything.

As a parents of an Autistic child, who’s father is also autistic it’s all seen as bullying and makes school a hated place, people should be educated on the impact of their words.

It’s funny I’ve managed to get to my 50s and never found it necessary to tease/ engage in banter at school or in the workplace.

Sadly some children just can’t tell the difference between bullying, banter and being offensive.

There is a time and a place for most conversations, and by Y11 they should know that there is a difference between what they might say between themselves, and what they might say in front of their nans.

Or in a workplace.

No idea how school will regulate it, but the principle is fine.

Sorry but this 😂

Yes. Ban it. As a teacher the crap kids come out with as banter is often bullying. Maybe see it from the other side. Quiet kid gets comments under ‘banter’. Just insults.

Wow. I actually can’t believe you just said this. Disgusting. So you think laughing at someone is ok? I am deeply worried.

No all children should be able to play anywhere. If you don’t understand what is offensive you can enjoy detention and learn.

This is a good thing. A lot of boys got away with sexual harassment at my old school by claiming it was just a joke or banter and that the girls couldn't take a joke. All schools should ban it.

Well actually in the anything goes camp it’s normally the banterers/bullies which grow whilst others suffer. Hence schools having policies and sanctions to protect all.

Exactly this- disparaging comments re being gay and looking autistic aplenty too. Not ok.

In the majority of cases the word banter can be replaced by the word bullying.

Banter is used excuse and normalise behaviour that is sexist, racist, homophobic or otherwise offensive.

“Banter” is often used to mask offensive and derogatory comments. In my school, it is often boys aiming “banter” at girls. They have clearly had an issue with this in previous years and are addressing it. Joking around is obviously fine but not when it is at the expense of others.

Gosh, what a totally joyless & boring world for teens(or anyone) without banter. I love it. But I’m not easily upset.

The offended win again.

My son didn’t love the homophobic, mocking autism banter he endured. 😬

Imagine a school creating a rule to make students think about the language they are using and take responsibility for what comes out of their mouths.

If you work in a school you’ll see the kind of comments that are “banter”. I imagine most people don’t want to be called fat or a puff or poor or ugly.

Obviously that’s not on. However, there’s always going to be an exception to everything. Why have a blanket ban because of the minority.

I hear groups of friends (boys & girls) walking from the high school taking the piss out of each other & laughing. It’s lovely seeing them & there’s never been anything that could be classed as offensive.

Surely it is a schools job to keep all students in that school safe and happy? This requires some element of policing. They are clearly not saying don’t ever joke or laugh. The message is don’t use derogatory or offensive language and try label it as “just banter” as we will not tolerate it. That sounds like an excellent message for everyone, not just kids!

Is that the only banter you’ve heard? I expect not. Discipline those people.