School Bullying and Tackling Strategies in Hong Kong

• NCJ Number: 207363
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 48 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 537-553
• Author(s): Dennis S. W. Wong
• Date Published: October 2004
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Based on findings of bullying research in Hong Kong's schools, this article discusses the nature and effects of bullying and assesses the effectiveness of various strategies for countering it.

Abstract

The results of the first comprehensive research on Hong Kong secondary school staffs' and students' perceptions of bullying were published in mid-2001. The study obtained 905 questionnaires from teachers and social workers, along with 3,297 questionnaires from students from 29 secondary schools (Wong and Lo). Another communitywide research report on the prevalence of school bullying in Hong Kong's primary schools was released in 2002 (Wong et al.). These studies found that more than half of the student respondents were involved in bullying as bystanders, bullies, or victims. Physical bullying has apparently been a more serious problem than extorting money from victims. Unresolved school bullying problems were often found to be a precursor of school violence and general delinquency, both by bullies and victims. Factors such as strain at school, peer and mass media influences, and psychosocial conditions of the bully/victim were found to be key social factors in bullying. The author, who was involved in much of the research on bullying in Hong Kong schools, argues that suppressive tactics -- such as verbal reprimands of bullies, school staff conferences with parents of bullies, and suspensions of bullies -- are ineffective in reducing and preventing it. The author recommends a comprehensive strategy that includes encouraging victims to report to teachers and parents when they are bullied, instructing students in how to respond effectively to bullying, teaching bullies positive social skills, shaming bullies in a reintegrative manner, and pursuing conflict-resolution strategies that restore relationships. 1 table and 56 references