Choose one of the following resources that is devoted to bullying prevention. Examine two methods suggested to stop bullying. Explain why these two methods would probably be effective.
- Stop bullying
https://www.stopbullying.gov/Links to an external site.
Home page for a federal government site with accurate and up-to-date information on bullying in it many forms and helpful information on dealing with bullying. Areas of the site targeted to children, parents, and teachers.
- Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (Olweus pronounced ol-VAy-us)
https://olweus.sites.clemson.edu/Links to an external site.
Main page for this comprehensive school wide program. Used in many different countries. Site contains helpful links that describe and explain the program.
- Understanding Bullying Factsheet 2018
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullying-factsheet508.pdfLinks to an external site.
This is a brief and accurate factsheet on the causes and methods of preventing or intervening in bullying
Full Answer Section
- Why it's Effective:
- Changes Norms: Bullying often thrives in environments where it's implicitly or explicitly tolerated, or where there's a lack of awareness. A positive school climate systematically changes these norms. When students perceive that adults care about bullying and will act, they are less likely to bully and more likely to report it.
- Reduces Opportunities: By fostering strong, positive relationships between students and between students and adults, a positive climate reduces the social isolation that can make individuals targets for bullying. It creates a network of support that can deter potential bullies.
- Develops Pro-Social Skills: Integrating social-emotional learning helps students develop empathy, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. These skills equip both potential bullies to manage their impulses and targets/bystanders to respond constructively, rather than reacting aggressively or withdrawing.
- Consistency and Predictability: Clear rules and consistent enforcement, which are hallmarks of a positive climate, create a predictable environment where students understand the boundaries and consequences of their actions. This reduces ambiguity and makes it harder for bullying to go unnoticed or unaddressed.
2. Encouraging Bystander Intervention:
- How it Works: This method involves educating bystanders (students and adults) on the various ways they can safely intervene when they witness bullying. This includes direct intervention (e.g., telling the bully to stop), indirect intervention (e.g., reporting the bullying to a trusted adult), and peer support for the victim (e.g., comforting the person being bullied, inviting them to join their group).
- Why it's Effective:
- Shifts Power Dynamics: Bullying is fundamentally about a power imbalance. When bystanders intervene, they disrupt this power dynamic, signaling to the bully that their behavior is not socially acceptable and that they do not have the tacit approval of others. This can significantly diminish the bully's perceived power.
- Reduces Reinforcement for the Bully: Bullies often seek an audience or a reaction. When bystanders intervene or refuse to participate (e.g., by not laughing or cheering), it removes the social reinforcement that the bully might be seeking, making the bullying less rewarding and thus less likely to continue.
- Provides Support for the Victim: A key component of bystander intervention is supporting the person being bullied. This can involve simply showing empathy, inviting them away from the situation, or offering words of comfort. This support can significantly mitigate the negative emotional impact on the victim, reducing feelings of isolation and helplessness.
- Empowers the Community: Teaching bystander intervention empowers individuals within the school community to take ownership of safety and create a collective responsibility against bullying. It moves individuals from passive observers to active participants in fostering a safe environment, reinforcing the positive school climate.
- Increases Reporting: Bystander intervention often involves reporting bullying to a trusted adult. This increases the likelihood that adults become aware of bullying incidents, allowing them to intervene directly and apply disciplinary measures or provide support.
Both of these methods are effective because they address bullying not just as individual acts but as a systemic issue influenced by social dynamics and environment. They focus on prevention, skill-building, and creating a supportive community where bullying is less likely to occur and more likely to be stopped when it does.
Sample Answer
StopBullying.gov is a federal government website providing comprehensive information and resources for preventing and responding to bullying. It targets various audiences, including children, parents, and educators.
Based on the general strategies advocated by StopBullying.gov (which emphasizes a multi-faceted approach), two effective methods to stop bullying are:
- Promoting a Positive School Climate and Culture: This method focuses on creating an environment where bullying is not tolerated, and where respect, empathy, and inclusivity are actively promoted among students and staff.
- Encouraging Bystander Intervention: This method aims to empower students and adults who witness bullying to safely and effectively intervene, rather than remaining passive observers.
Why these two methods would probably be effective:
1. Promoting a Positive School Climate and Culture:
- How it Works: A positive school climate involves clear anti-bullying policies, consistent enforcement of rules, open communication channels, positive adult role models, and curricula that teach social-emotional learning skills (e.g., empathy, conflict resolution). When a school actively cultivates respect and discourages bullying behavior, it sends a clear message that such actions are unacceptable and will have consequences.