Could we take responsiblity for “bullying” by teaching social skills?

The children who tormented the child in South Hadley, similar to a student identified with pragmatic deficits, did not predict how Phoebe would react to their constant bullying, did not understand the back lash they would suffer if something happened to her, and were unable to put themselves into Phoebe’s shoes. Had those students participated in activities that allowed them to experience what they were doing to someone else or thought through the possible consequences would they have made the same decisions. We want to blame the school officials and teachers but as a society we allow and teach our children, through television and our “kids will be kids” attitude to behave in a way that lack compassion.