How can you solve bullying? - Milford Daily News
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- Last Updated on 02 August 2012
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Fixing a bullying problem is more complicated than fixing the bully, says Robin Bonifas, an assistant professor at Arizona State University who studies senior-citizen bullying.
“It’s not only one intervention, it’s a whole package of interventions,” she said.
Her response is three-pronged: She talks with staff, bullies and victims.
Bonifas said she doesn’t use the word bullying with seniors, but in talking with them, identifies patterns.
Bullying is verbal, physical or antisocial behavior in the context of social relationships, such as making fun of others. Victims feel intimidated and often isolate themselves.
“That’s bullying,” Bonifas said. “That’s the same kind of thing we see on the playground.”
But anti-bullying campaigns in schools aren’t so commonplace in senior centers or senior housing. Staff and residents often don’t realize bullying can be a problem, Bonifas finds.
“It’s always been occurring, but we’re just now recognizing that oh, this is not a good thing, maybe we need to make some changes,” she said.
Victims often need to be taught how to respond to bullies.
“People are bullied because they allow themselves to be bullied,” Bonifas said.
Staff shouldn’t be afraid to confront bullies, she said. Those people sometimes like being put in charge of a task. She said many have had difficult lives.
Bonifas has worked with Marsha Frankel, an expert in social bullying and the clinical director of senior services at Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Waltham.
The women are co-authors of a series of blogs about senior bullying on mybetternursinghome.com.
Bonifas said she hasn’t seen other literature on bullying. An article she is writing on the topic draws on research about bullying in schools, the workplace and in prison.
(Laura Krantz can be reached at 508-626-4429 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)
Fixing a bullying problem is more complicated than fixing the bully, says Robin Bonifas, an assistant professor at Arizona State University who studies senior-citizen bullying.
“It’s not only one intervention, it’s a whole package of interventions,” she said.
Her response is three-pronged: She talks with staff, bullies and victims.
Bonifas said she doesn’t use the word bullying with seniors, but in talking with them, identifies patterns.
Bullying is verbal, physical or antisocial behavior in the context of social relationships, such as making fun of others. Victims feel intimidated and often isolate themselves.
“That’s bullying,” Bonifas said. “That’s the same kind of thing we see on the playground.”
But anti-bullying campaigns in schools aren’t so commonplace in senior centers or senior housing. Staff and residents often don’t realize bullying can be a problem, Bonifas finds.
“It’s always been occurring, but we’re just now recognizing that oh, this is not a good thing, maybe we need to make some changes,” she said.
Victims often need to be taught how to respond to bullies.
“People are bullied because they allow themselves to be bullied,” Bonifas said.
Staff shouldn’t be afraid to confront bullies, she said. Those people sometimes like being put in charge of a task. She said many have had difficult lives.
Bonifas has worked with Marsha Frankel, an expert in social bullying and the clinical director of senior services at Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Waltham.
The women are co-authors of a series of blogs about senior bullying on mybetternursinghome.com.
Bonifas said she hasn’t seen other literature on bullying. An article she is writing on the topic draws on research about bullying in schools, the workplace and in prison.
(Laura Krantz can be reached at 508-626-4429 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)
Source Website: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/google/bully/~3/BHvEcMfr4lY/url
