Spinning our wheels: reconceptualizing bullying beyond behaviour-focused approaches.

Bullying behaviours remain common in schools despite an abundance of policies and programs aimed at curbing them. In this paper, the author argues that such policies and programs are problematic not because they are flawed in themselves, but because they draw from the dominant and usual ideas about...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 131 - 145
Autor principal: Walton, Gerald
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Feb2011
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Bullying behaviours remain common in schools despite an abundance of policies and programs aimed at curbing them. In this paper, the author argues that such policies and programs are problematic not because they are flawed in themselves, but because they draw from the dominant and usual ideas about what bullying is taken to be. These ideas are presented as more fundamental problems that contribute to 'wheel-spinning' where efforts to reduce bullying are concerned. Key concepts that inform such ideas, specifically safety and diversity, are interrogated. The paper advocates for a new framework by which to think about and conceptualize bullying that moves away from those that highlight behavioural and developmental perspectives. Implications for education administration, especially with regard to supporting marginalized students, are explored.