Across the country, educators are embracing conflict resolution programs and antibullying campaigns in an attempt to teach moral, empathetic values and in the wake of their efforts a cottage industry has emerged flooding the market with new curricula, workshops and how-to books. Susan P. Limber, associate director of Institute of Family and Neighborhood Life at Clemson University in South Carolina says that reports show that these programs that try to enhance the bully's opinion of himself may have been overemphasized. Instead, the bully may need exposure to more positive social role models. She says bullying is not a conflict, it is victimization and educators need to recognize the difference.

One reason books are effective is that parents and teachers can use them during conversations to help set expectations for how children should treat others. There is also the emotional component of literature that can enhance a good antibullying program.
April 2003