Teen Bullying Articles

Teen Programs for Bullying – Are They Effective In Preventing Teen Bullies?

By Mandy-Jane Clarke

After the Columbine tragedy, a Zero Tolerance Policy was put into place in many schools throughout the US.  What is Zero Tolerance?  It is a policy wherein "any infraction committed by any student, regardless of severity, will be met with full punishment."  This policy has been the subject of much debate among scholars, parents and school officials.  They feel that this policy is too strict because it punishes students for very minor offenses which, under normal circumstances, would warrant a verbal reprimand.  Is this considered a fair and equitable teen program for bullying?  Some would say no, but there is one program which has been effective.

The teen program that actually works and does not impose the Zero Tolerance Policy as a quick fix for bullying is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.  It was established by a Norwegian psychologist, Dan Olweus, and is considered “a model program” by the US Department of Health and Human Services.  The program combines "established limits on behaviors that are unacceptable but, at the same time, strives to create a school environment which is void of hostility and physical violence."  While this program has been successful, it is not considered cost-effective and therefore, many states have not used this program in their school systems.

In the New York City Department of Education system, every September children are given a day planner to be used throughout the year.  The first few pages outline the school’s Discipline Code, which every student must adhere to.  Here is an excerpt from the entire Code (which is also available to parents):  “Engaging in intimidating and bullying behavior – threatening, stalking or seeking to coerce or compel a student or staff member to do something; engaging in verbal or physical conduct that threatens another with harm, including intimidation through the use of epithets or slurs involving race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, religious practices, gender, sexual orientation or disability.”  Violation of this specific code will result in “Regional Superintendent’s Suspension.”

This is the Department of Education’s answer to teen programs for bullying.  The suspension can last anything from a few days in-house suspension to up to 30 days at another school or at home, depending upon the severity of the act.  Do you think this adequately addresses teen issues?  Does it measure up to the bullying help teens desperately need??  Keep in mind, this Discipline Code is for grades 6-12.

While most teen issues are handled by in-school guidance counselors and school-based support teams, which include a psychologist, a social worker and a therapist; how effective do you think this solution is for preventing bullying in schools?  Although bullying help can be effective through consistent counseling, it doesn’t resolve the overall problem of why teens bully, nor does it come close to addressing the serious teen issues which are the catalysts for this type of behavior.

Although some schools have implemented the Zero Policy initiative, the bottom line is that it is not effective.  Nor would most principals follow the tenets of the policy, but instead would adhere to their school’s discipline codes as mandated by the state. 

This article is courtesy of http://www.Stop-Bullies.com Stop-Bullies.com is a resource site covering specific areas of bullying including Teen Programs for Bullying.