Petty teasing, joking, and bullying at school can have devastating effects on students, leading to violent and disastrous consequences for both perpetrators and victims. The article makes suggestions for how educators can take a proactive stance to prevent a climate that allows bullying and harassment to flourish. (SM)

Reviews research on influence of child's family context on development of conduct problems. Addresses what critical aspects of child's family context (parental psychological adjustment, parental marital adjustment, parental socialization practices) seem related to development of conduct problems and how these factors might affect child. Discusses…

Contends that the game of "musical chairs" demonstrates how students learn about competition versus cooperation as well as a variety of sociological concepts and theories. Outlines material requirements and rules for playing the game, and suggests methods for post-game debriefings. Notes sociological applications and implications that can be…

This article explores factors leading to development of antisocial behavior in children and later negative outcomes including school failure, delinquency, and violence. Best practices in screening and early intervention for at-risk and antisocial children are identified. Recommendations are offered based on research-based practices, tools, and…

Evaluated replicability of model of family and peer influences on adolescent problem behavior. Subjects were 1,450 seventh graders representing three ethnic groups: American Indians, Hispanics, and Caucasians. Found good consistency across ethnic groups, but some subgroup differences emerged in the magnitude of relations between monitoring and…

Compared adolescent siblings' evaluations of parental treatment. Found support for a moderating effect for self-esteem and emotionality but not gender. Evidence of the "sibling barricade" effect was limited and interpreted as reflecting a sibling comparison process. For older siblings, emotionality and self-esteem moderated the sibling…

Presents a literature review on the relationship between religiousness and adolescent well-being. Among the findings is that religiousness is positively associated with prosocial values and behavior; negatively related to suicide ideation and attempts, substance abuse, premature sexual involvement, and delinquency. Policy suggestions are offered…

Describes a 22-week family intervention program designed to prevent antisocial behavior in urban minority children. Presents a theoretical model for strengthening critical family processes related to the emergence of antisocial behavior. Describes specific intervention goals, modalities, and activities. Provides recommendations for development,…

A community sample of 617 adult women completed a questionnaire about witnessing interparental physical conflicts before the age of 16. Twenty percent of respondents reported witnessing some type of physical conflict between parents. Mean age when physical conflict was first observed was eight. Women who witnessed parental physical conflict…

Presents statistical information on rates of violence and victimization in a substance abuse program for homeless mothers, with accompanying anecdotal details to indicate the depth and effects of the problem. The majority of the women acknowledged incidents of childhood and adult victimization, and reported engaging in adult aggressive or abusive…

Examined relations between kindergartners' behavioral orientations and features of kindergartners' subsequent relationship with first-grade teacher. Found that unique associations emerged between early antisocial behavior and less closeness; greater conflict and dependency; and asocial behavior and teacher-child dependency. Prosocial behavior was…

Young people who daily endure hateful words, slurs, and epithets at school often become fearful and/or enraged. No magic solution or program exists. Teachers must firmly, consistently interrupt usage of degrading language and model acceptable behaviors. Such interventions reduce escalating situations and reassure vulnerable students. (MLH)

A study assessed bullying and psychological disturbance among 5,813 elementary children in Finland. More boys than girls were found to be involved in bullying, and children involved in bullying, especially children who both bullied and were bullied, were psychologically disturbed. Bully victims were most likely to be referred for psychiatric…

Examined the relationships between parent-adolescent conflict and antisocial and prosocial behavior in Chinese adolescents. Results showed that father-adolescent conflict and mother-adolescent conflict were concurrently related to adolescent antisocial and prosocial behavior. Findings suggest that the linkage between father-adolescent conflict and…

This article presents an alternative approach for reducing violence in schools: the development of evidence-based tools that can be used in existing networks to structure systemic changes. The PEACE POWER strategy emphasizes four practices: recognize contributions and successes, act with respect, share power to build community, and make peace.…