“Sharp Drop” In Bullying: Some Good News . . and So Much More To DoMar 11 2010by Rick Phillips, M.Ed., Executive DirectorThe recent study – “Trends in Childhood Violence and Abuse Exposure,” dated March 2, 2010, declared a decline in reported bullying. The study found that the percentage of children who reported being physically bullied over the past year had declined significantly. The lead author, Professor David Finkelhor, PhD, reported being “very encouraged” by the results. As an educator whose “day job” is working with schools nationwide to equip and empower students to speak up about and stop bullying, I’m sure I speak for many of us who are pleased to know there has been progress in addressing the costly, and sometimes deadly, public health issue of bullying. However, the conclusions from this study do not represent a complete picture. In reviewing the discipline data reported from many schools throughout the nation and speaking with building administrators, I can assure you that our nation’s children are still being mistreated, and in ways that are sometimes more hurtful and dangerous than physical bullying and intimidation. Electronic aggression through cyberbullying, relational aggression – sometimes referred to as “mean girls” syndrome – rumors and gossip, and the deliberate exclusion experienced by many children continue to plague our schools. Many times, these incidents “fly under the radar” of adults, unseen and unheard. These hurtful acts do massive harm to the psyches of far too many young people. Bullying and violence affect every community’s educational mission and goals. They contribute to our dropout rates, cost school districts millions of dollars, and limit our children’s academic, civic and character development. We must remain vigilant in our understanding that the only way to reduce bullying significantly in all its forms is for schools to commit to changing the culture and climate of their schools. This requires investing in staff development and student bystanders’ education, establishing a fair and consistently-applied behavioral framework, utilizing curricula that include social and emotional education, and engaging parents and community more effectively in these efforts. If every community champions culture and climate change approaches in our schools, I believe we can have more studies that show the outcomes we all want to have: schools where all students achieve and thrive, where they report feeling safe, connected and valued.
Recent PostsFifth Grader Takes Action Against BullyingZiainey Stokes, a young student from West Philadelphia certainly provides timely evidence that schools are in critical need of programs such as Safe School Ambassadors to prevent violence and bullying in schools. CM Executive Director Delivers Keynote Address at Bullying Prevention Conference in BostonAs the Keynote Speaker, Community Matters Executive Director, Rick Phillips, shared with the audience that building a safer school climate is a complex process that requires a balance between attending to security as well as relationships. The Cost and Benefits of Caring in Spite of Bullying and Violent TraumaWhen schools tap into the power of the students and take time to show that they care, especially students affected by trauma, students become empowered. Bullying, Stress and Health: A Crisis in the MakingHere are some facts we have collected (and there are hundreds more) about the short- and long-term health effects of bullying: Chicago Public Schools: Violence and Death or Peacemakers Prevail?Like many urban areas, Chicago faces many challenges. The turf wars in various neighborhoods, the gang activity among youth, and the lack of resources for safe schools has compounded the obstacles facing school administrators and teachers. |