Bullying in schools
 

Who is responsible when a bullied child takes his life?
The story in the link below is about a twelve year old girl who committed suicide as a result of constant bullying from classmates at school.
The parents want to hold school officials responsible because they allowed the bullying to happen.

I can see arguments for both sides of this issue. If this is settled in the courts, it will be interesting to see what happens.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/par...ry?id=53889875

The school has a duty of care in my opinion. Often not met.

Looks like there is a case there to go after the school students and especially the boy talking to her at the end.


Barney

The one that decided to end the life is the one that is responsible, namely, her. Placing blame on someone or someone else is wrong. If you grant the notion of free will and autonomy, then there cannot be another conclusion. She ended her life, therefore, it was her choice and her responsibilty. Today, we infantilize our children; however, without more details of what does or does not constitute " bullying" no concomitant blame can be placeed. Keep in mind, that across species survival is the ultimate drive. If blame could be assigned her upbringing might be suspect.

ISocial Darwinism as eugenic cleansing hasn't been a good fit for the United States' idealistic model, in fact, we have benefited from the results of those who practice it by accepting their discards as citizens.

Bullying in schools
 

Your logic makes sense. On the other hand.... we hold bars responsible for drunk drivers (in some states) with the last drink law. The bartender did not get behind the wheel drunk. It was the drunk driver choice.... yet we spread the responsibility to the bartender.

Black and white thinking. All on the girl. No part of the blame on the malicious people, no compassion. Stereotypical conservative I'm afraid.

If she can't take it, she's better off dead? Agree or disagree, bhunter?

Someone should be responsible for creating the environment or specific circumstance.
Using this logic, why can't I yell fire in a theater to start a stampede and then claim people should have stopped running when they saw that there was no fire.

So if someone else is held responsible for suicide, should they not also bear responsibility when it leads to homicide? There is no personal accountability anymore? Is it all based on the lawyer who argues the best case?

Not that it should be, but I think you are right in saying that it is based on the lawyer who argues the best case.