Spare the rod, spoil an entire generation of children... or something like that.

I was perusing one of my free parenting magazines and I came across this gem on bullying behavior in children: "When you see your child acting in a hurtful way, tell him to stop, remove him from the situation, and then talk about what he can do instead next time. However, if your efforts don't make a dent in his behavior, ask your doctor to recommend an appropriate mental-health professional." What the (non-mom approved language redacted)? If you're raising a bully, he doesn't need a talking to and psychologist, he needs you the parent to act like a grown up and lay down the law. I can't believe people get paid for this garbage. I have never met a child who misbehaved like that who WASN'T crying out for discipline. Children thrive on limits. What shocked me was there is no mention of consequences. How about instituting rising levels of disciplinary action if your child doesn't respond to you saying, "Now Jimmy, that's not nice!" instead of skipping straight to therapy? Was this article sponsored by the National Association of Laughing All the Way to the Bank Child Psychologists? And of course the kid featured in the bullying picture, doing the bullying, was a red head. Nice stereotype...
I have, in my time, worked with students with varying disabilities that hampered their social awareness. There are always exceptions. I have also in my time worked with students that just needed their mom or dad to give them a spanking. I am not a children's mental health expert, though apparently that wouldn't be difficult, I just know what I've seen from working with teenagers, teaching 2nd grade functioning learning disabled children, babysitting, teaching middle school, etc. Even with my LD's, the parents worked to establish order within the limits of what their children were capable of understanding.
When children in my care exhibit disrespectful behavior toward me, another adult, or each other I am on that like ugly on a duck. And guess what? The students I have been the strictest to LOVE ME for it. (Well, except for that one kid...) The kids whose cases I get on know it's because I expect better, I love them, and want them to succeed, and that means consequences. And it works. No therapy necessary. (Though sometimes I feel like I need it!)
I also read in another article that kids don't really understand rules and limits until they are 3 years old. $#$#$*!Q2@!!!? Edward is 15 months. He knows not to touch Sirius's water and food bowl. He knows if he pitches a fit, he will not get his way, and if he persists, he will get a consequence. It takes time, energy, commitment, and the Holy Spirit, but Edward knows.
This is the mainstream advice for parents. Kids these days... deserve better.