The Hostile Environment

The Hostile Environment examines the latest psychological and educational research providing evidence that anti-bullying programs and school-based interventions lack intensity and a strong behavioral focus. This book includes information on characteristics and risk factors of bully perpetrators and victims, current laws and legal aspects of bullying, vulnerable populations of students such as students with disabilities and who are LGBT, and cyberbullying. Barriers to successful implementation of anti-bullying programs and societal problems are discussed. In light of recent state and federal anti-bullying legislation, now is an opportune time to examine the laws and evidence base with the intent of initiating significant changes in schools to interrupt the persistent cycle of bullying. A bold and new interdisciplinary model integrating teacher contracts and policies, increased mental health provisions for children and families, and communication between law enforcement and pediatricians is called for to change what has become a worldwide public health concern, a substantial disruption to the educational process, and a hostile environment in schools and communities.

“Susan Carter provides educators with a thorough analysis of current research on bullying in her new book, The Hostile Environment. She goes beyond the descriptions of omnipresent bullying prevention programs and calls for a more integrated, proactive, and evidence-based approach to deal with this critical issue. School personnel would do well to implement her reasonable and thoughtful recommendations which will make the school environment less hostile for the most vulnerable students.”

In recent years, bullying among school children has moved from a barely acknowledged part of the background noise to a serious concern that has attracted the attention of the public at large. Sadly, it has taken high-profile incidents of suicides by victims of bullying and its modern counterpart, cyberbullying, to attract such attention. With this excellent book, Carter adds considerably to the growing number of publications about bullying by focusing not only on the victims but also on the bullies. The book is carefully researched, insightful, and clearly written. It strongly suggests the need for collaboration among educators, families, mental health professionals, and the legal system to bring about the changes necessary to combat bullying at its root. Highly recommended for programs that prepare teachers, school counselors, and others who work directly with schoolchildren, educators, and families. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through practitioners. CHOICE
-- Barry E. McNamara, Dowling College
Susan Carter offers a comprehensive discussion of school bullying. She bases this discussion on comprehensive empirical literature and identifies several important associations between bullying and academic, psychosocial, and psychological outcomes. This book provides guidance on how schools should respond. -- Steven R. Aragon, Texas State University

Susan Carter is associate professor of special education and department chairperson of special education at Dowling College, Long Island.

The Hostile Environment examines the latest psychological and educational research providing evidence that anti-bullying programs and school-based interventions lack intensity and a strong behavioral focus. This book includes information on characteristics and risk factors of bully perpetrators and victims, current laws and legal aspects of bullying, vulnerable populations of students such as students with disabilities and who are LGBT, and cyberbullying. Barriers to successful implementation of anti-bullying programs and societal problems are discussed. In light of recent state and federal anti-bullying legislation, now is an opportune time to examine the laws and evidence base with the intent of initiating significant changes in schools to interrupt the persistent cycle of bullying. A bold and new interdisciplinary model integrating teacher contracts and policies, increased mental health provisions for children and families, and communication between law enforcement and pediatricians is called for to change what has become a worldwide public health concern, a substantial disruption to the educational process, and a hostile environment in schools and communities.

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