The Issue of Bullying in Schools
Bullying is an issue that occurs in schools across the world. In fact, it is estimated that roughly 160,000 children miss school everyday across North America due to the fear of bullying by other students (National Education Association). Therefore it is important for both the students attending school and the faculty within the school to play a role in standing up against bullying. The purpose of this site is to help students and faculty be aware of the issues of bullying and to provide practical and relevant information that will help them to stop bullying in schools.
Bullying Facts and Figures
In a study by the University of Guelph Psychology department, they found that 45 percent of the child respondents said they did not feel safe when they go to school. Furthermore, it found that bullying occurred once every 7 minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in the classroom. (Hennig 2007; Swift 2006-2012).
It is estimated that 1 in 7 students are victims of bullying. In regards to peers getting involved 72 percent of kids observed bullying at school at least once in awhile and 40 percent tried to intervene. Students said that 64 percent of kids considered bullying a normal part of school life and 25-30 percent of students viewed bullying as being sometimes OK and/or that it was OK to pick on losers. Furthering this point, 20-50 percent said bullying could be a good thing because it makes people tougher and is a good way to solve problems. 61-80 percent said bullies are often popular and enjoy high social status among their peers. In regards to teacher involvement, 71% of teachers said they usually intervene in bullying episodes, while 25% of students said teachers intervene (Pepler & Craig, 2000). Yet in the majority of cases, bullying is reported to stop within 10 seconds when peers intervene, or when students do not support the bullying behaviour of their peers. These stats signify the importance that both teachers and peers hold in standing against bullying practices occurring within the school setting.