Despite efforts of parents, educators, lawmakers and community members to stop bullying in schools, it continues to happen every day. To sufficiently address the problem that has been prevalent in schools throughout the history, experts suggest that bullying could be stopped before it begins through education and cultural celebration.
According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, one in three students in the United States has been bullied in school, based on government sources. This ongoing trend could result to absenteeism and reluctance to go to school, depression, aggression, anxiety, irritability, suicidal thoughts, headaches, and other physical and psychological problems.
Eric Cooper, founder and president of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education, wrote on his Huffington Post blog that the best way to stop bullying is to obstruct it before it begins. He pointed out that this could be done by tackling bullying in the classroom as part of the curriculum.
Cooper also added that cultural celebration is another way of stopping bullying before it starts. He said that by teaching kids to be culturally and racially sensitive, the issue could be addressed.
"When we value and celebrate our differences - instead of using them to separate or oppress - we do more than simply teach students and teachers that bullying is wrong. We eliminate the impetus to bully in the first place," Cooper explained.
Lee Sherman, editor of the Northwest Education magazine issue Learning in Peace, had the same suggestions. In an earlier interview with Education World, he said that changing the school culture is an effective way of preventing bullying.
"Along with zero tolerance for weapons, schools must send a clear message of zero tolerance for harassment, put-downs, and bullying," Sherman stated. He added that differences are inevitable, however, educators could demand from students to respect one another amidst differences, and treat each one of them with dignity.
