According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Research Center, almost 30 percent of U.S. youth (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both. A recent national survey of 6th-10th graders reveals that approximately 13 percent reported bullying others, 11 percent reported being the target of bullies, and another 6 percent said that they bullied others and were bullied themselves.
Here in North Carolina, bullying recently made headlines when the N.C. House of Representatives passed an anti-bullying bill in a 58-57 vote June 23. The bill was created to protect students on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, and just needs Gov. Bev Perdue’s signature to become final. Gov. Perdue says she plans to sign it.
Whether you agree with the politics associated with this bill or not, there is a lot you can do on your own to prevent bullying from happening to your child, or to prevent your child to from bullying others. It starts with reading the articles in this month’s linkzine. We’ve got the advice and information you need to instill an anti-bullying attitude in your child — no bill necessary.