Bullying is a growing concern in schools and this affects the students, teachers and parents. In fact, due to its gravity, the government has already made laws to address it.
Policies and Laws to Stop Bullying
According to StopBullying.gov, state and local lawmakers have taken actions to control bullying and extend protection to children. However, each state addresses this issue in their own accord. Bullying, cyber bullying and behaviors related to it can be addressed in a single or multiple laws. In some cases, this appears in the criminal code of a state that may apply to juveniles
However, despite the efforts to stop bullying, this problem remains. In fact, it has gotten worse as more and more bullying cases were reported. According to BullyingStatistics, one in four kids in the U.S. is bullied on a regular basis. School bullying is more serious than cyber bullying, in particular, "bias-based" bullying.
Bullying in Schools
"Bias-based" or "identity-based" is bullying that based on one's race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, socioeconomic status or weight, EconoTimes reported.
Per the report, teachers fail to respond to bias-based bullying, especially those concerning weight and sexual orientation. The teachers' lack of action to stop bullying may result in tragic consequences. Previous reports revealed that some students commit suicide due to bullying.
In worse cases, some students were subject to bullying by their own teachers. One study titled, The Youth Voice Project, revealed that two students in special education who felt that their instructor was more abusive to them than towards their peers in general ed.
How to Stop Bullying
- Train teachers - have teachers undergo seminars about bullying to change their perspective on the issue. When they have the proper knowledge and skills about the issue, responding to bullying will be easier for them
- Encourage teachers to get involved - in this way, they will be more responsive.
- Evaluate the bullying conditions at school - Schools administrators should do a periodic survey to assess the bullying condition and address it appropriately.
Do you have additional tips to stop bullying at school? Share your thoughts below.
