Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do (Understanding Children's Worlds) (Paperback)

by Dan Olweus (Author) "For two years, Johnny, a quiet 13-year-old, was a human plaything for some of his classmates..." (more)
Key Phrases: school conference day, external deviations, bullying students, Victim Questionnaire, Greater Stockholm (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The problem of school bullying is one of growing dimensions and is of tremendous concern to teachers, parents, and many of the children themselves. Professor Olweus is without question the world's leading authority on the topic. His book is a succinct yet accurate and thorough statement of the problem and what educators and parents can do to alleviate it. It will be invaluable to its intended readership." Professor David G. Perry, Florida Atlantic University.

"Olweus's book provides evidence that his programme of intervention has encouraging results where it has been applied, leading to significant and sustained reductions in direct and indirect bullying. This should encourage schools and authorities to study the method described and the valuable suggestions made. There is a useful and wide-ranging reference list of works on bullying and aggression." Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health

"Dr Olweus' program, which is in place at 42 Norwegian schools, is the first program against bully/victim problems to be scrutinized by scientific research... The program has been so successful that it is now being set up in several other countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and the United States. For Dr Olweus... has studied the problem of bullying for 20 years... Dr Olweus' intervention program is described in detail in his book Bullying at School." Pediatric News

"Share it with other parents." Kentucky Enquirer

Product Description
Bullying at School is the definitive book on bully/victim problems in school and on effective ways of counteracting and preventing such problems. On the basis of the author's large-scale studies and other research, it is known that bullying is a serious problem in all societies that have been studied so far, and that more than 15 percent of the school population in primary and secondary/junior high schools are involved, either as bullies or victims. The facts about bullying, its causes and consequences, are presented in clear and straightforward language. The book is a milestone in the study of bullying at school in that it offers a scientifically evaluated intervention program. The results of this extensive research are remarkable: a reduction of bully/victim problems by 50 percent or more a considerable drop in antisocial behavior such as vandalism, theft, drunkenness, and truancy clear improvements in the "social climate" of the classroom and student satisfaction with school life. The book gives practical advice to school principals, teachers, and parents on how to implement a "whole school approach to bullying," and contains a valuable guide to help teachers and parents recognize if a child is being victimized or bullies others. Bullying at School is essential reading for all who are involved with children and young people.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (December 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631192417
• ISBN-13: 978-0631192411
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,809 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #39 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Violence in Society
  #74 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Child Psychology > Development
  #75 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Education Theory > Administration

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is the foundation of modern bullying prevention!, November 7, 1999

By A Customer

This clear, brief, and practical book is based on extensive research and outlines an intervention to prevent bullying. Dr. Olweus's work has become the standard approach to bullying prevention, reflected in such programs as the University of Colorado "Blueprints for Violence Prevention" project ... As a counselor and trainer specializing in bullying prevention, I find this book indispensable, and recommend it highly.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good data but needs more specific examples, January 30, 2002

By	David E. Levine (Peekskill , NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I was elected to my local board of education and we recently received a credible complaint from a parent that harassment of her son was being overlooked by school administrators. Accordingly, I felt obliged to read up on the issue of bullying. This book sets forth both the problem and the recommended solutions. Prof. Olweus is Norwegian and his studies primarily involve Scandinavian schools. Accordingly, questions came to my mind such as "Is Norway a more homogenious society than the United States? If so, are there any differences in both the problem and the solutions in a more ethnically heterogeneous society?" I don't know the answers but, the reader should keep these issues in mind when reading this book.

Prof. Olweus describes the problem and he sets forth well organized solutions to the problem which require involvement of teachers, administrators and parents, and further require communication with all students, even those who are neither bullies nor victims. The one problem I have with the book is that there are very few case histories and specific examples given. The book proposes solutions but does not provide a case history in which the specific solution was successfully applied to the problem at hand. Reliable data and sound recommendations are important but a few specific examples of how these recommendations worked would be helpful. For example, Olweus recommends that parents of a bully apply sanctions if the bullying behavior does not improve. He states, "The consequence should be associated with some degree of discomfort or unpleasantness, but corporal punishment must not be used." OK, fine; but what are specific examples of "discomfor or unpleasantness?" Where are the case histories giving examples? Without these, the book does not provide as fulfilling reading as it otherwise might. This book is well worth reading and I recommend it with the reservations expressed above.