Make a Difference
Safe schools are essential to young people's ability to learn and develop healthy relationships. However, many students experience abusive behaviors, both in and out of school, such as:
- bullying
- cyberbullying
- peer pressure
- sexual harassment
- discrimination based upon race, sex, and sexual orientation
- dating, domestic, and sexual violence.
When any of these forms of abuse occur there is a misuse of power. Unfortunately, many students have learned to use this strategy. However, another component when abuse occurs is the bystander. Research has shown that bystanders often do not know how to respond to the abuse they witness; therefore it is important to teach people how to do so safely and effectively.
Social Norms Theory suggests peer influence plays a powerful role in shaping behaviors. However, problems occur when those behaviors are influenced by incorrect perceptions of how peers think, act and react. Therefore it is important to correct these misperceptions in order to increase healthy behaviors as well as the likelihood that students will act as courageous bystanders.
Effective methods in promoting a healthy classroom climate and increasing bystander behavior involve:
- raising awareness about abusive behaviors
- promoting a culture where communication and assertive skills are the norm
- forming clear rules and strong social norms against behaviors that promote and/or condone abuse
- providing support and protection for all students.
So, what can teachers and schools do about it?
Take Action
Teachers and schools play a crucial role in supporting their students to take a stand against abusive behaviors by helping them learn how to be courageous bystanders. One preventative approach to addressing abusive behaviors is Action Learning.
By incorporating the principles of action learning into their classrooms, teachers can help their students become courageous bystanders. Action learning principles address the following:
- aspects of values formation
- beliefs about behavior and relationships
- commonalities and diversity of human experience, needs and desires
- cultural dynamics and peer group affiliations
- how individuals and systems may be framing, perpetuating and justifying bullying and violence
- the construction of gender
- power, privilege, and the policing of social hierarchies
- social justice, civil responsibility, leadership, and cultural change issues.
More Ways to take Action:
- Speak accurately about behavior. If it’s sexual harassment, racial harassment, or homophobia; call it that. Using the word “bully” de-genders, de-races, and de-personalizes the problem. If we call behavior what it is, it will help to affirm a child’s reality and teach students their rights.
- Speak out about differences. One-size-fits-all strategies and programs do not work. Schools should even be leery of “evidence-based” programs that do not address diversity.
- Check your expectations. Adults often hold youth to ideals that we do not meet ourselves. As adults we create and promote cultural messages that are inconsistent with the standards we set for youth.
- Promote student-initiated change. Empower youth to have positive resistance, and engage them in a dialogue of these issues. Be more pro-active than reactive.
- Build coalitions. Creating allies can be difficult, but necessary in order to initiate and facilitate change.
- The construction of gender
- Talk more about hope & possibility. It is important to cultivate leadership in our students and encourage them to do brave, remarkable things. Imagine the possibilities!
http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/default.shtml
Bullying. No Way! addresses the underlying issue of discrimination that fuels bullying and harassment.
http://www.teachsafeschools.org
Teachers for Safe Schools strives to help school personnel develop a supportive, safe and inviting learning environment where students can thrive and be successful. It provides evidence-based strategies to assist the school community in the prevention of school violence.
http://www.groundspark.org/respect/index.html
Groundspark's mission is to create visionary films and dynamic educational campaigns that move individuals and communities to take action for a more just world.
http://www.tolerance.org
Tolerance.org is an online destination for people interested in dismantling bigotry and creating, in hate's stead, communities that value diversity. It includes information on how to transform yourself, your home, your school, your workplace or your community.
