Gendered Harassment in Secondary Schools-questions

"Meyer"

        This article provides readers the views and responses to how gendered harassment is influenced in schools in Canada. Meyer interviews six teachers in one urban school. This study showed that educators experienced a combination of external and internal influences that act as barriers or motivators for intervention. Meyer states that by gaining a better understanding of gendered harassment we can work towards more effective solutions to reducing these behaviors in schools. Below I stated questions that I thought would be suitable for a class discussion. Some questions you can find in the text and some questions can be an educators point of view.

1) What is gendered harassment and how does gendered harassment effect students in the public education?

2) Educators in Canada experienced a combination of external and internal influences that act as either barriers or motivators for intervention. What are these influences and as a teacher explain how these influences may effect you as a teacher? Give an example.

3) Meyer reports that there are studies that have shown that sexual and homophobic harassment are accepted parts of school culture and teachers and staff do not intervene.  In your opinion and possible incidences that you have seen as a teacher, why do you think teachers don't intervene in cases of sexual, homophobic and transphobic harassment?

4) What is sexual harassment and what are the three forms of harassment?

5) Describe Meyer's four tier theoretical model.

6) The informal structures of the school, which is also called the social norms and values, were the most powerful influences over teachers' behaviors. Discuss the three most prevalent themes: perceptions of administration, interpersonal relationships, and community values. 

     There is a constant struggle for educators who are trying to reduce the many types of harassment. At the end of the interviews, Meyer felt that these teachers did not feel that they could put a stop to gendered harassment in their schools. It was due to the external barriers that challenged their ability to intervene. There was a lack of support from administration and other teachers. Meyer says that the ways teachers understand gendered harassment will impact how and when they choose to intervene incidences they witness at school. She said it's important to explore the teachers' perspectives in order to understand the barriers and motivators that shape how and when they choose to intervene. Then we can design more effective intervention programs to support educators in their efforts to create safer schools.  

  

   

I searched the web to see what was available in RI for educators to view for information on gendered harassment.  

Bullying Town Meeting in RI: turntoten.com bullying meeting in RI to discuss the battles schools face in December 2010. A Rhode Island College Professor, many school teachers, parents, and students discuss their experiences about bullying in all aspects. It is very educational and sad. Something to watch!

 

RIPIN: Rhode Island Parent Information Network This is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1991. RIPIN’s vision is that individuals, parents, and families will advocate for themselves, ensuring that their needs for health, educational, and socio-economic supports are met. Our objective is to influence society’s view and value of families, diversity, and disabilities, reducing stigma, advocating for full inclusion and shifting societal perceptions toward acceptance of individual differences. RIPIN will work directly with organizations, institutions, and communities to address gaps and deficiencies so that, individuals, parents and families are better served and viewed as equal partners. We envision systems that produce better outcomes for the individual, family, child and community. There was a walk to stop bullying in Rhode Island at the Roger Williams Park in May 2011. On this website you will find workshops that are available for teachers and families.

 

Stop Bullying Now! RI: Features Local Children's Book Author

 

Stop Bullying Now in RI: Founded June 2010. Stop Bullying Now! Rhode Island is a non-profit organization focused on preventing bullying in our society through education and awareness. They provide a wide range of services and events:

Professional Development Workshops
PTA Workshops
Student Assemblies
Student Workshops
Consulting - in order to help you form a anti-bullying program

 

PROVIDENCE — For Jamie Dellorco, the bullying began in seventh grade. Her classmates called her “Del Dorko” and said she was the ugliest girl in class. After two boys tried to push her down the stairs, her mother sent her to a private school.

First, the numbers: the federal government estimates that 180,000 students skip school every day because they are afraid. 
That said, many districts in Rhode Island are taking innovative steps to make bullying unacceptable. Tiverton has created a peer helping network to explore the nature and extent of the problem. A series of lesson plans around bullying has been developed for student advisories this fall, and, in December, Tiverton High School will hold a schoolwide assembly on bullying. Cranston has created a nationally recognized bullying prevention program in the elementary schools. Coventry is attacking bullying on several fronts, from creating “safe rooms” to installing “tip boxes” to allow students to report bullying without fear of retaliation. Everyone agrees on one thing: schools have to change their culture if they want bullying to stop. That calls for leadership from both adults and students. It calls for parental involvement. It calls for a clear system of reporting allegations along with a coherent intervention plan. The challenges, however, are daunting. Teachers and the police reported that bullying begins in middle school, where it may be worse than in high school. There is a pervasive culture of “no snitching” that makes it difficult for schools to identify the victims and the aggressors. And sometimes the adults turn a blind eye because they think the behavior is “kids being kids,” or because they are overwhelmed by their academic responsibilities.
Schools even struggle with deciding what constitutes bullying, much less what the penalties should be.


Michael Jackson was bullied by World Media because of his skin color

      My husband and I had a Michael Jackson impersonator at our wedding last year! I am a huge fan of Michael. I think the world media was a big factor resulting in Michael's death by criticizing his skin color and his sexual orientation. In his upcoming tour, "This Was It", he had to perform up to the world's standards that he was still the "King of Pop".   He became weak and tired and looked for drugs to help ease his pain. He is still the "King of Pop" and I think now people open their eyes to how he felt as a person. Just like all these other tragedies of bullying in the US.