Anti-bullying Efforts Creating Victims?

Found this article about a recent study that suggests the anti-bullying efforts may actually increase the incidences of bullying or, at the very least, the reporting of incidents. I can see where this could be a concern but I don't believe it is enough of a concern to stop these bullying prevention programs. Perhaps some adjustments are in order?

Bullying Prevention May Have Unintended Consequences
By Rick Nauert PhD, Senior News Editor at PsychCentral.com

School-based anti-bullying initiatives have become standard across the country, but a new study finds that the programs may increase the risk that a child may be a victim.

This finding from a new study is contrary to the common perception that bullying prevention programs can help protect kids from repeated harassment or physical and emotional attacks.


“One possible reason for this is that the students who are victimizing their peers have learned the language from these anti-bullying campaigns and programs,” said Seokjin Jeong, Ph.D., of the University of Texas – Arlington.

Jeong was lead author of the study, published in the Journal of Criminology.

“The schools with interventions say, ‘You shouldn’t do this,’ or ‘you shouldn’t do that.’ But through the programs, the students become highly exposed to what a bully is and they know what to do or say when questioned by parents or teachers,” Jeong said.

Connecting through Writing

This week teachers, students, writers, and bloggers around the country are celebrating how writing makes connections in honor of National Day on Writing (October 20th). For more information about National Day on Writing, visit the official site.

I love how my writing connects me with  my readers, often in ways I would never have expected. In sharing my ideas and stories through my books and blog, I am slowly exposing bits and pieces of my "self" and my soul. I like to think that my readers can look beyond the words to see the "me" that is swimming underneath.

My writing has also created new connections and deepened established ones with so many amazing people:  other writers at book fairs; parents of my readers at book signings; my editor, publisher, and publicist; old friends and new via social media; family members seeing our shared past through my eyes; and, of course, perhaps the most important connection of all, my inner self.

Shifting Viewpoints and Time

In the extraordinary book, A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, a diary written by a suicidal Japanese teenage girl, Nao, is found on the beach by a Canadian writer, Ruth. Shifting viewpoints and time, the enthralling story touches upon timeless themes of man against man, man against nature, and man against God.

Nao is more than bullied, she is tortured physically and emotionally at school, but has her Zen Buddhist grandmother to mentor her and show how Nao can discover her personal power, which evolves from her present situation connected to her ancestors. A Tale for the Time Being is a tale woven in the past and present--the now and future--of both place and time.

I found myself pleading with the young woman not to let the bullies take her self away from her, becoming passionately entangled with Nao in a way I rarely do with a character. But, unfortunately, I could not become emotionally engaged with the second narrative voice of Ruth and found myself constantly having to reacquaint myself with her husband, Oliver. He did provide the vehicle for the ecological concerns so well addressed in the story, but it was not nearly as interesting to me. That, however, is a minor road bump in the journey of a thoughtful and beautifully crafted novel. The author, Ruth Ozeki, has received deservedly high critical acclaim for this book, and it is definitely a keeper in my library.

Teens Feel Safer at School When They Have Cross-Ethnic Friendships

It's becoming increasingly clear that the key to preventing bullying among children and teens is to help them build strong communication and relationship skills at an early age. I ran across this interesting article at PsychCentral.com discussing the results of a recent study that having a diverse group of friends seems to help a teen feel less vulnerable at school.

Cross-Ethnic Friendships Help Teens Feel Safe at School 
By Rick Nauert PhD, Senior News Editor

Middle-school kids are less lonely and feel safer when they have friendships across ethnic groups as the connections help teens feel less vulnerable.

Social support and friendships are important in all stages of life with early adolescence an especially important time as teens need validation and emotional support.

Experts say the findings are important as the childhood population is becoming extremely diverse in the United States and educators need guidance to monitor student interactions.

Read the entire article at PsychCentral.com>>

To the Lighthouse: An Exceptional Piece of Writing

I do love a really good latte in the morning; when I get it to perfection, my whole day resonates with positive energy. It is like reading an exceptional piece of writing, with lyrical prose that plays through my thoughts and in the depths of my being. Virginia Woolf can do that, with a literary voice that is evocative with imagery and intelligent, insightful observations of human nature and perspective. To the Lighthouse is said to be her masterpiece. Done in stream of consciousness, without a plot, and no definitive narrative voice, To the Lighthouse is a dense read, requiring the reader to engage intellectually and emotionally. It is not everyone’s cup of tea, and for myself, I am coffee drinker; but I can appreciate perfection and craft, and I am keeping this book in my library.