Games Students Play: "Blemish"

This is game for a group of youth. They have a target which can be a youth that is not present, an adult leader, minister, teacher, any easy target. The game is simply an escalating series of attacks on the person being critiqued. If it goes too long and without intervention it can get quite vicious, even violent. The criticisms can go from legitimate concerns to out and out lies.

Breaking this game up is a little easier than Sweetheart because the victim is not present. If you hear this going on, simply insert yourself into the conversation and explain what you hear happening. Good kids will be embarrassed about having been caught participating and will quickly disown the conversation and defend the person that had been under attack. You may be able to take one of the comments made and explain how it is untrue and unfair to the victim.

If the instigator has a grudge against the victim or some other incentive, they may try to keep it going or be unhappy with you (and perhaps try to start a game of “I win you lose.”).