Education can help stop bullying of students
No one can fault commentary writer Bruce Kluger for feeling that bullying is “a problem without a solution.” The heartbreaking suicide of Amanda Cummings and the other senseless bullying-related deaths in recent years stir feelings of hopelessness in us all (“Bullying: Are we defenseless?,” The Forum, Wednesday).
We disagree, however, that there are no solutions. We have found that among the most effective antidotes to this scourge is education. Students, parents and teachers can learn to identify the warning signs that a student is being bullied, and they can be taught strategies for appropriately responding so the bullying will stop.
There are also legislative remedies. In the aftermath of bullying incidents, advocates for reform have passed anti-bullying legislation in 43 states, several based on a model statute developed by the Anti-defamation League. And school districts should be required to adopt anti-bullying policies that are comprehensive, practical and effective.
For every story of bullying-related violence reported by the news media, there are many other unreported stories of individuals and communities shifting the climate around bullying in significant ways. Bullying will probably never completely cease to exist as a childhood problem, but we must continue to invest hope and resources in solutions we know are working. Abraham H. Foxman, national director
Anti-defamation League; New York