NCJ Number
136265
Editor(s)
S Greenbaum
Date Published
1990
Length
29 pages
Annotation
Schoolyard bullying is a significant and pervasive problem, and bullies tend to be overly aggressive and destructive and to enjoy dominating other children.
Abstract
Research indicates that male bullies are three to four times more likely to inflict physical assault than girls. Girls, however, tend to be more subtle and psychologically manipulative. As with alcoholism and other forms of abusive behavior, evidence strongly suggests that bullying tends to be an intergenerational problem. Many childhood bullies are often abused at home by a parent and witness parents abuse each other and siblings. Research has also found that parents of bullies tend to ignore their children and do not really know what is happening to them. Contrary to popular belief, bullying victims are not always that different from other kids. Victims are often overprotected by parents who encourage dependent behavior. Bullying affects school attendance and the overall campus climate, since victims fear school itself and the abuse they know awaits them there. Victims are also far more likely than other students to bring a weapon to school to protect themselves. Interventions to deal with the school bullying problem should acknowledge five central ideas: (1) school bullying is a significant problem; (2) fear and suffering are becoming part of the daily lives of bullying victims; (3) young bullies are more likely to become criminals when they reach adulthood and to suffer from family and professional problems; (4) the prevailing attitude that kids fighting each other represents normal youthful aggression must be discarded; and (5) national intervention and prevention programs should be implemented. Media clippings relevant to school bullying are included. 29 references