Bullying in Canada in the 21st Century: The Moral Obligations of Parents, Teachers, Schools and Governments

Abstract

Despite an abundance of evidence-based intervention programmes available to schools across the country, childhood bullying persists in Canada. This paper looks at various types of bullying behaviour and its often devastating and far-reaching effects. It examines the common characteristics of children who bully as well as the reasons for, and causes of, bullying behaviour and summons more heightened attention to its root causes namely poverty, homelessness and disconnection. The moral obligations of parents, teachers, schools and governments and their roles as team players in raising sociable, compassionate and confident moral citizens in a world in which bullying behaviour is not only unacceptable but unthinkable, is also discussed.