Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying

• NCJ Number: 188500
• Author(s): Nels Ericson
• Date Published: June 2001
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Issue Overview

Annotation

This paper addresses the prevalence, nature, and effects of bullying, as well as strategies for addressing the problem.

Abstract

Bullying among children encompasses a variety of harmful behaviors that are repeated over time. It involves a real or perceived imbalance of power, with the more powerful child or group attacking those who are less powerful. It can take three forms: physical, verbal, and psychological. A recently published report by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development on the U.S. contribution to the World Health Organization's Health Behavior in School-Aged Children survey found that 17 percent of the respondents had been bullied "sometimes" or "weekly;" 19 percent had bullied others sometimes or weekly, and 6 percent had both bullied others and been bullied. The researchers estimated that 1.6 million children in grades 6 through 10 in the United States are bullied at least once a week, and 1.7 million children bully others as frequently. The same study found that bullying has long-term and short-term psychological effects on both those who bully and those who are bullied. Victims experience loneliness and difficulty in making social and emotional adjustments. The impact of bullying often extends into the victim's adulthood, as it correlates with depression and other mental health problems. In responding to bullying, schools can conduct surveys to determine the nature and prevalence of bullying, increase supervision of students during breaks, and conduct schoolwide assemblies to discuss the issue. In the classroom, teachers should introduce and enforce classroom rules against bullying and hold regular classroom meetings with students to discuss bullying. School staff should intervene with bullies, victims, and their parents to ensure that the bullying is stopped. 1 reference and 3 listings for further information