Anti Bullying Articles

Anti Bullying Policy – Can it Deter School Bullies?

By Mandy-Jane Clarke

Bullying is a severe problem found in most schools, particularly middle and high schools. Older kids often prey on incoming students using tactics which are both subtle yet effective. In an effort to promote an anti bullying policy, one council in a well-known state enacted a Dignity for All Schools Act in 2004 which requires the Department of Education to “establish policies and guidelines that prohibit harassment and bullying, and create a system for tracking and reporting incidents.”

Will legislation such as the DASA reduce bullying in schools? Hopefully, however, it will take all of the pedagogical personnel to stay vigilant in ascertaining when and if students are being harassed by their peers.

Children should not be afraid to attend school, but the reality is that even with the most stringent policies and the lack of security in most schools, incidents of bullying will take place. Instituting anti bullying policies can deter bullying activities which occur in schools on a daily basis.

For example, in some middle schools the first Friday of the new school year is designated by some kids as the day when 5th graders will be initiated. The students harass and steal coats and jackets from these 5th graders. While the administration informs parents not to have their children wear expensive coats and jackets, there are some parents who do not receive the warning and their children become victims of this cruel act.

It is clear that anti bullying programs are needed in most public schools. Guidance counselors speak to students about this issue almost daily. It is the school aides, however, who witness this behavior first hand in lunch rooms and school yards, and are more in tune with what kids will be the offenders and what kids will be the victims. In addition, once the offenders are caught - suspension is immediate.

What about the victims? In recent years, bullying has had far-reaching affects on the younger children. They skip school or cut out early if there are warning signs they will become a target. It is these children who suffer by not receiving the education they so deserve. They will either ask to be transferred to another school or, in some cases, have no recourse but to stay the course and hope they can bypass the bullies.

Peer pressure has become more demanding on children than ever before, and while some anti-bullying policies have been instituted in schools, it is up to the children to stand firm and report the infraction to superiors and their parents as well.

An anti bullying policy should be mandated in all schools and should be enforced to the letter. While there are administrators who are keenly aware of the problems in their building, there are some who ignore it. The Parents Association, now actively involved in schools today, can help in this regard by talking to parents and giving them literature to not only become more involved in their children’s education, but to be aware of signs indicating whether or not their child is the bully or the victim. The policy can only work if everyone is willing to make it work.

This article is courtesy of http://www.Stop-Bullies.com Stop-Bullies.com is a resource site created specifically about Anti Bullying.