xvii Preface As a parent, I have seen the impact of bullying and the parallel agony caregivers experience when their children endure persis- tent teasing, social exclusion, pushing, name-calling, assault, and more—sometimes for years. When it comes close to home, I am also reminded of my own difficult childhood experiences and the havoc bullying wreaked. School staff sometimes look the other way, discounting the behavior as “normal” growing pains. Other times, they work hard to make things better, and in spite of best efforts, it some- times gets worse. Parents may give up and leave their school, only to find their children in similar circumstances elsewhere. Bullying: A Reference Handbook is a launching pad for youths, families, school staff, college and university students and fac- ulty, and others who want to understand more about what bul- lying is, why it occurs, and what schools and families can do to prevent and stop it. You may be surprised by much of what you learn here, in- cluding causes related to emotional abuse, trauma-induced brain imbalances, and the role of social, economic, and racial inequalities. Almost every recommended solution involves building em- pathy, trust, and connection, which makes sense given that since the 1980s, empathy and trust among youths and adults have decreased, and depression, anxiety, and social isolation have nearly tripled. People gripped by relationships (or lack of
Previous Page Next Page