Bully Nation: Why America's Approach to Childhood Aggression is Bad for Everyone

by Susan Eva Porter

The Columbine school shooting caused the United States to ramp up the national discussion of school bullying and the hasty implementation of many new anti-bullying rules and "zero-tolerance" policies. Some of these policies have led to serious unintended consequences. In this timely book, Susan Eva Porter, a seasoned and licensed school professional, explains how our current bully language, school policies, and anti-bully activists are trying to address the problem of school bullying in ways that actually make problems worse. Some policies treat children as adults and adults as children. Unnecessary strife among all parties involved, and the impeded social development of the children involved, can be a byproduct of popular policies. Especially in middle-school years, children are in a stage of development that involves testing boundaries and learning to relate to others. They need to gain resilience that will enable them to function well as adults. Bullying is often addressed in ways that arrest the social development of both the "bully" and the "victim." Porter, an expert in child development, sets a new standard for our understanding of America's approach to bullying, and how we can dramatically improve outcomes, in this easy-to-understand book. Bully Nation should be read by school administrators, counselors, policymakers, teachers, psychologists, and parents. It is a much needed analysis with common-sense solutions to one of our nation's most mis-addressed problems.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting

208 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

Reviews

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most outstanding book, BUT an essential perspective to consider for anyone who finds themselves in the position of creating, implementing, or parenting a child affected by an anti-bullying policy. The author, an experienced school counselor, lays out lots of problems with current thinking and language commonly used in schools.

She argues that labels of "bully" and "victim" and the use of "zero-tolerance" mechanisms tends to simplify things for adults rather than do anything for the children involved. "Bullies" are not assisted with needed growth and change in their behavior and emotional challenges. Consequences are appropriate, she says, but they alone don't teach a child new skills. "Victims" are not assisted in developing resilience or separating their responses from the other child's actions. Protection is appropriate, but protection alone doesn't really do anything to enhance the self-protection abilities of the child.

My experience teaching led me to feel that one of the things children are in need of more than almost anything else is guidance for dealing constructively with unpleasant emotions and with conflict. Susan Eva Porter seems to agree. Given that this book is a few years old at this point, I have to hope that schools and parents are listening to what Porter has to say.

[Kyle O'Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes many points that are how I have felt for years, said in a much more intelligent, well-thought-out way than I could. Makes many good points I hadn't thought of. I've always been a tad skeptical of the idea that the modern anti-bullying movement is actually helpful.

[Sarah Cooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great points, but this could have been a long article. Too many anecdotes that added only a small facet to the point at hand.

[Kelly Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective

This book is a refreshing approach to unraveling the stigma of the anti-bullying movement. It provides an effective perspective with clear language and promotes resilience, something not typically addressed on this topic.

[Jessa Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great discussion of bullying in today's society, but the chapters on helping children learn resilience and empathy, as well as the grit approach could have been expanded on better. It was an enlightening read that I highly recommend to anyone working with adolescents, especially middle schoolers.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcomed voice of sanity in the discussion of childhood aggression

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

She could get to her point a lot faster.