School Bullying: Why Quick Fixes Do Not Prevent School Failure

Abstract

School bullying is a serious problem. It is associated with negative effects for bullies, targets, and bystanders. Bullying is related to school shootings, student suicides, and poor academic outcomes. Yet, this issue cannot be solved by way of simple, one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, school bullying is a complex, systemic issue that requires a deep understanding of the multiple variables with which it is associated. Furthermore, effective interventions require systematic, whole-school initiatives. In this article, the author identifies types of school bullying and defines participant roles. In addition, she discusses the complex nature of this issue and briefly examines its short- and long-term effects. Further, the author presents and discusses various school-based bullying interventions. Last, she provides recommendations concerning effective interventions to combat school bullying.

Keywords:

• low-level aggression
• school-based violence
• school bullying