How is bullying a problem

But when the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program was implemented in schools in South Carolina in , its effectiveness rate was only 25 percent. Psychologists Peter K. Smith , Debra Pepler , and Ken Rigby recently published a survey of 13 studies of anti-bullying prevention programs spanning 11 countries.

They found a wide disparity of results across the programs: 12 of them showed at least a modest decline in some types of bullying, but seven reported increases in other kinds of bullying.

What accounts for these discrepancies? According to Olweus, one possible reason for the disparity is the degree to which school administrators, teachers, and principals are committed to the program. Other studies support this view. For example, the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing , a nonprofit coalition of law-enforcement leaders, researchers, and university officials released a report suggesting that principals who are aware and actively concerned about bullying have fewer incidents in their schools.

First, they emphasize the need for the school staff, especially teachers and principals, to become aware of the presence of bullying in their schools. Almost 30 percent of students in the United States report moderate or frequent involvement in bullying, according to a study by Tonja Nansel , an investigator with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , which surveyed nearly 16, students in grades A more recent poll by Harris Interactive found that roughly two thirds of teenagers say they have been verbally or physically harassed in the past year.

Yet a different study found that teachers are aware of as little as four percent of the bullying that goes on in their schools. Charles, Missouri. The plight of bullied adolescent girls is so subtle that, according to one study, teachers are often unaware of it until the girls reach the stage of contemplating suicide.

When Mulligan decided to target bullying at his school, he began by implementing a weekly survey that asked students to report on bullying they witnessed or experienced.

When the first surveys started coming back, the results were shocking. They showed an average of three reports of bullying every day; previously, Bryan Middle School had record of about two incidents of bullying each week. Russell Skiba endorses this approach, which he contrasts with zero tolerance policies. According to Skiba, zero tolerance policies are an anti-bullying strategy that is not only ineffective but also counterproductive.

The most effective way to curb bullying in schools, Skiba maintains, is to implement school-wide programs that aim to stop bullying before it even begins.

The results of this survey are used to generate awareness—among parents, teachers, and students—of the need for intervention strategies. Next, the program directs teachers to establish classroom rules that clearly define bullying behavior.

Then each school selects from a variety of interventions that are best suited to meet its needs. These methods can include individual counseling with bullies and victims, implementing workshop-type activities at both the classroom and school level, and restructuring school areas where bullying is particularly rampant, such as playgrounds or hallways. One school in England went so far as to build a school with no hallways and with a bathroom attached to every classroom. During a half-hour period, students and their advisor have free and open discussions about career opportunities, school policies, community service experiences, and individual progress reports.

Bullying is not normal childhood behavior and should not be dismissed as "kids will be kids. Research has found that males were both more likely than females to bully or to be victims of bullying.

Physical bullying is the most common for males — being hit, slapped, or push. Females were more likely to report verbal and psychological bullying, including sexual harassment and rumor mongering. A significant bullying problem involves controlling or manipulating others by damaging or threatening to damage valued relationships. Teen girl bullies do this by intentionally spreading rumors about another person.

They also use body language or nonverbal actions to exclude others. This type of bullying is much harder for parents to get a handle on because it's sneaky, quiet, or underhanded. It's harder to see and explain, and involves one person's word against another. Some experts suggest that changing the attitudes and involvement of bystanders could have the biggest impact on bullies. Bystanders are kids who witness but are not victims of bullying. Since bullies love an audience, a bystander's encouragement or toleration of the bully will make the bully stronger.

Training through role-playing can help youth recognize a potentially harmful situation and do something positive. By simply saying, "That's not cool," a bystander can stop a bully's activities. Youth need to know that taking a stand for what is right can be very effective. Strive to turn your teen into a catalyst for change.

Explain the difference between tattling and telling. Tattling is when you report something just to get someone in trouble. Telling is when you report that you or someone else is in danger. Typically, assertive, self-confident children do not become victims of bullying. Surprisingly, youth who are overweight, wear glasses, or are smart are no more likely to be bullied than others. Youth usually are singled out because of psychological traits, such as extreme passivity, sensitivity to criticism, or low self-esteem.

Here are some actions to take if you suspect your teen is being bullied, or to help him or her avoid being bullied:. Ask questions. Ask how he or she is spending lunch break and time before and after school. Ask if there are peers who are bullies without asking whether your teen is being bullied.

But not all bullying is physical. Words can hurt too. With texting and social media, bullying can happen anywhere, even at home on a computer. Learn about cyberbullying. Bullying can be harmful to kids. It can affect their mental health and their grades.

Students who are bullied may participate less and less in class. Learn about the difference between teasing and bullying. Kids who are bullied may also bully others. And kids who witness bullying can react in ways that fuel the negative behavior — or help stop it. Instead, try to separate the child from the action.

Download a one-page fact sheet on bullying. Learn about anti-bullying laws that require schools to report and investigate bullying. See steps to take if a child is being bullied at school. Learn what to do if a child is bullying others. Explore more tips on how to defend kids from bullying. As many as 1 in 4 kids show signs of school refusal at some point. More on: School struggles. Share Bullying and learning differences.