Bullying In School

Thinking about Pascoe and how she talks about masculinity at school and how it affects bullying, it is easy to see that schools - particularly High School and Elementary school - need to step up their game with helping and preventing bullying. Here are some ways I think school systems could do so:

1) Train faculty better/more inclusively. Employees should be trained to not only understand gender and sexuality, but also how to intervene with bullying situations. If teachers learn more about these topics, they will understand why someone might be bullying and then hopefully prevent or help situations.

2) Have a WGST type of class required in lower level grades. If the students understand these concepts, then that would hopefully eradicate misunderstanding amongst them and help decrease violence. Especially if they learn about violence - possibly reading this book - to help understand the consequences of bullying. And to just not be assholes.

3) Make more clubs/groups that advocate for safe spaces and anti-bullying. If there is more information around the school and groups having activities, it might create a better and safer environment.

4) Have more class discussions about these classes. If English classes or other established classes do something more involved on the topic, it would help reinforce education about the topic. (Since a WGST course might be 0 to 100 too quick for some people)

5) Have more assemblies about bullying. Although assemblies can be boring and students might not pay attention, maybe at younger ages students will be tentative and more apt to learn from having assemblies - especially if they are participating.

6) Bring in panels from college students. I love doing panels for Pride Alliance in classes, and when I once went to a high school to talk to the GSA, if feel more personal and like the students actually care to listen and get involved. If more schools did this - heard personal stories and talked to people who were recently in their position, it might help change perspective on the subject.