Punishing bullies won’t fix the problem of bullying in schools

[LuckyTheDog]

By Emily Suski

The spring legislative season is well underway, and, as has been the case for the last several years, a number of states are again considering and passing amendments to their anti-bullying laws.

This year, Florida and Kentucky, for example, saw amendments to their anti-bullying laws introduced in their general assemblies. Florida’s bill, which has been signed into law by Governor Rick Scott, requires schools to review and revise their anti-bullying policies at least every three years. And Kentucky’s bill has come up with a clear definition of bullying so schools better recognize bullying when it occurs.

These changes to anti-bullying laws are good first steps, but recognizing the problem is not sufficient. Schools also need to know what to do about it as well. States’ anti-bullying laws can and should guide and require schools to implement interventions that truly address the causes and effects of bullying.

My research on bullying has focused on anti-bullying laws – what they do, what they don’t do. The truth is these laws can both help and hurt students.

MORE HERE: http://yonside.com/punishing-bullies-doesnt-work2/

[TexasProgresive]

1. The best I can think of is teachers and staff who pay attention.

This may be one of the unintended consequences of closing down smaller schools and consolidating into larger schools. In the smaller schools it was easier for the adults to keep an eye on things and every member of staff knew every student, often by name.

[Iggo]

2. Not punishing them won't fix it, either. But the article doesn't say either of those things.

When it finally gets around to it, it says the obvious: "Using punishment of the bullying as the primary or sole intervention for addressing bullying cannot address the complicated causes and effects of the problem."