Low-Level Violence: A Neglected Aspect Of School Culture

Low-Level Violence Article Twenty-Three

I. Introduction

Harassment and bullying in schools is not given the attention that it needs in order for a solution to be found. In the article, Low-Level Violence, A Neglected Aspect of School Culture, David Dupper and Nancy Meyer-Adams bring attention to the issues that students face due to bullying and harassment. In this essay, I will explain the different types of bullying, the impact it has on students, and the steps that can be taken to implement change within schools to correct these deviant behaviors.

II. Bullying in Schools

Bullying in schools is physical or psychological abuse inflicted on students by other students. Some forms of this bullying are social, physical, cyber and verbal abuse. According to the article, A Neglected Aspect of School Culture, there are different reasons for students being harassed by other students. For females this can be because they are “pretty enough”, or they are not dressed in the style of clothes that is currently the trending fashion. For boys there can also be multiple reasons for peer harassment, such as not being a part of a sports

Peer sexual harassment is another issue that students face. This form of harassment is mostly directed toward the female students. Unwanted sexual comments, spreading rumors, grabbing a student, sexual jokes, and gestures are the common forms of sexual harassment. Moreover, these actions may make a student self-conscious, uncomfortable, embarrassed, and not want to attend classes. A bigger issue with peer sexual harassment is that many students that are perpetuating these acts feel that they are not doing anything wrong, but rather that it is simply a part of the “school life”. Another disturbing issue is that there are teachers and personnel who witness these acts and yet they do nothing to reprimand the students that are partaking in these