Bullying was much in the news a couple of years ago. And there were numerous stories from around the country that were examples of the harm and tragedy it can bring about.
In New Jersey, the reaction was to create one of the toughest laws in the country to track bullying and prevent it through teaching and example.
As a result, based on annual reports required from each school, the number of cases of bullying and violence has been going down in the past year.
So, have we created a culture where bullying no longer exists?
The answer would be a definite no based on a seminar held at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor on Nov. 13.
The day-long seminar was titled “Eradicating Bullying and Fostering Tolerance and Mutual Respect Among Our Youth: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility”
Some of the workshops included Stuart M. Sackerman’s “Bullying In Sports,” “Bullying Ain’t What it Used to Be: One Father’s Perspective,” “The Bystander Bully,” Lessons Learned on HIB and the Increasing Focus on School Climate.
The author of “Bullying in Sports” pointed to Miami Dolphin lineman Richie Incognito’s suspension for allegedly harassing teammate Jonathan Martin and said it’s a wake-up call to parents, educators, officials and coaches and reveals the unspoken crisis and the accepted core culture that is being taught and role modeled to young athletes across the country.
In sports, he said bullying occurs under the cloaks of teamwork, sportsmanship and pushing for excellence. It takes place out in the open, fostered in sports culture by parents and fans alike.
He said in youth sports, bullying is tolerated and taught, supported and sustained, modeled and manifested.
”We have to change the culture,” he said.
From Lawrenceville Elementary School, which has been designated “A National School of Character 2012-16,” counselor Kathy M. Jensen said, “Character development drives the development of empathy.”
She said the foundation for character development at their school is its core values, which are respect, responsibility, caring citizenship, trustworthiness, fairness and self-control. All teachers, staff and students use this shared vocabulary of core values to help guide them in their everyday actions.
”We strive to ensure all students do their best every day by modeling respectfulness, responsibility, fairness and self-control,” Ms. Jensen said. “Our motto is do our best and nothing less.”
So, is there still more work, teaching and parental oversight needed to help prevent bullying?
Undoubtedly.
