<human>:  good evening. i was talking to someone about the"anti bullying" systems in place in so many schools. things are so different than when i was in school in the 1970s. don't you think these well intentioned anti-bullying ideas are ill advised? don't you think they foster a sense of dependence? shouldn't kids learn to fend for themselves?
<bot>: you raise some good questions. Anti-bullying is a very important issue and these policies are based on much research on school climate and best practices for reducing bullying. Ultimately, we want safe school communities in which all students can learn and thrive. However, these policies should not be seen as fostering dependence. Most schools make a strong effort to encourage students to take responsibility for their own behavior and to self-regulate and resolve conflicts constructively. Anti-bullying policies are designed to create supportive conditions for learning and provide support and resources for students and staff who face bullying. It's important that all students have an equal opportunity to learn in a safe environment and get the support they need.