Teasing
Should teasing be allowed? Yes - if it’s friendly teasing. No - if it’s hurtful. Some people suggest that teasing is negative. But just listen to adults when they are with their friends. Teasing is constant. It helps everyone laugh at their own weaknesses and deal with life’s little problems. In addition, parents often tease their children which helps develop humor and forms a positive bond. Children learn to tease by listening to adults and imitating their actions.
Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to learn how to tease in a positive way. You have to be able to understand how the other person feels and avoid that might hurt. This is hard to do because the best teasing is very close to being a "put-down". It’s right on the fine line between positive and negative.
Teach children how to tease properly, when to stop, and the importance of apologizing for comments that cross the line. If the teasing is positive, both the teaser and the "teasee" will be laughing. Sometimes, the person being teased doesn’t laugh but does reciprocate by giving a "zinger" right back. That’s okay too because it’s equal. However, don’t allow teasing which is intended to hurt. These are "put-downs" and amount to verbal hits. The same is true of sarcasm.
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