Rodkin, P. C. (2011). Bullying–And the Power of Peers. Educational Leadership, 69(1), 10-16.
Synopsis:
Bullying still exists, and that is a reality we have to accept if we are going to do anything about creating a safe and inclusive school environment for our youth. In “Bullying – And the Power of Peers,” Rodkin (2009) addresses this reality and makes a distinction among the two main types of bullies that exist in schools today: the marginalized bully, and the socially connected bully. The difference being that the former is usually pushed to the periphery of the social circles, and the latter exists within them. What this demonstrates, is the importance of understanding the relationships that exist between bullies and those that they choose to target.
What is most surprising is that evidence shows that bullying intervention programs that use peers as peer mediators that disapprove of bullying actually increases the likelihood of victimization! Though the reason isn’t completely clear, it is suggested that those who choose to be peer mediators should be students who have a positive social connections. In contrast, research shows that having even one friend can lower the likeliness of victims of bullying internalizing the harmful problems caused by their harassment.
My Critical Reflection:
A worthy read! This article emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationships that exist between all students, especially between bullies and victims of bullying. Rather than viewing both parties as separate entities, understanding the relationship that exists between them can help in finding a solution to the problem. This article suggests that teachers do their best to continually ask students about their relationships and to pay attention to what students think of one another and understand their dynamics. Furthermore, it is suggested that teachers and other adults be the advocates for anti-bullying and to try to increase authentic peer interactions in their classrooms as a means to equalize the status between all students.
