The ABCs of Bullying
Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression

Module 3: Factors Contributing to Bullying and Violence - Page 11 of 17

School Factors

"Again and again in our listening conferences, young people said, 'It's up to us.'"

Schools with a high incidence of bullying tend to have a lack of adequate adult supervision (especially during breaks) and an overall indifferent or accepting attitude toward bullying.ref What this often means is that less noticeable verbal attacks aimed at another student may not get corrected. If a child is verbally attacked on a regular basis, his or her view of school and peers is tainted and often negative.

A child's attitude toward and performance in school may influence whether he or she turns to bullying and violence. Many factors contribute to school performance, including peer group and family dynamics. Gang membership is identified as a high risk factor among youth who experience a late onset of violence, along with neighborhood influences, such as crime, drugs, and disorganization.

For many children and youth in the throes of adolescence, the peer group replaces the family in holding the most influence. As a result, efforts to create an antibullying culture among schools must incorporate the role of the peer group.

"The behavior, attitudes, and routines of teachers . . . have a decisive effect on the extent of bullying in the individual school or class."ref
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