Archived press releases

MSWord    Printer-friendly version

Bullying in the Bull's Eye on the Next Teen Connection

March 22, 2004

For More Information:

Moira Harrington, (608) 265-3853

Lynn Brockmeyer, (608) 263-3364

The next edition of Teen Connection 'Teens and Bullying,' talks with teens and adult interveners about bullying -- all stressing that the scourge behavior on playgrounds and school buses, in lunch lines and hallways doesn't need to be a rite of passage for Wisconsin's youth.

'You could look at bullying intervention as a social awakening,' said Brian Koenig, a Middleton-based trainer and consultant on bullying and harassment prevention. 'We could leave things alone. But bullying is not a thing that should be left alone. It doesn't have to happen. We used to say that 'Bullying toughens kids up,' but for what? We're not Vikings anymore.' He continued, 'There's proof of the negatives of bullying, but no proof of the positives.'

The hour-long program, 'Teens and Bullying,' airs 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT). It's a live, call-in program that will air on all six WPT stations, as well as on WMVS-TV /Milwaukee.

Bullying crosses all socio-economic lines and occurs most frequently in middle school and junior high. It's characterized by repetition of aggressive behavior, words or ostracizing over time, and is marked by an imbalance of power.

Studies have placed rates of bullying incidents in up to 15 percent of any school population. One recent study, however, found that 80 percent of kids say they've been exposed to aggressive words and actions in the last 30 days.

Bullying can have long-lasting effects. A school-age bully is 26 times more likely to adopt criminal behavior later in life, according to Koenig, who will appear on the program

The targets, too, face lifelong challenges. Teen Connection will feature a taped interview with former Miss America Erika Harold who was tormented because she is multiracial.

Also appearing on tape is Curtis Silwa, the leader of the New York City Guardian Angels network, who decries the media's portrayal of violence as entertainment, and society's ongoing acceptance of violence.

To counter that acceptance and change the climates in their schools, some leaders are taking the following steps. These have proved successful:

- Adopting school-wide intervention to include anonymous student questionnaires, formation of a prevention committee, training for staff, school-wide rules against bullying, development of a coordinated system of supervision and parental involvement.

- Classroom interventions involving regular classroom meetings about bullying and peer relations, and meetings with parents.

- Individual-level interventions involving individual meetings with children who bully and the targets of bullies.

Joining the program will be Matt Glowacki of Sun Prairie who was born without legs and talks of the taunts he faced. Two 13-year-old Chilton middle-school children -- Luke Kolb and Tara Kobichka -- will outline the bullying prevention work they have undertaken in their school.

Viewers can call toll-free at (877) 988-2888 during Teen Connection. Some calls will be selected for on-air discussion.

For more resources, check wpt.org/teenconnection

Dean Thomas and Eileen Littig co-produce Teen Connection. It is a production of NEWIST/CESA #7 and WPT. Sula Kim hosts the program and appears courtesy of WBAY-TV/Green Bay.

Toll-free service is provided courtesy of Nsight Long Distance.

In 2004, WPT celebrates 50 years of service to Wisconsin individuals and families. WHA-TV, Madison, signed on the air on May 3, 1954. WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay; WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.