Preventing Hate Crime in Schools
Preventing Hate Crime in Schools
Tami Arreguin
COM/172
March 25, 2013
Jenifer Casey
Preventing Hate Crime in Schools
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, for the 2009-10 school years, 920 schools reported a total of 3,220 incidents of hate crimes (Neiman & Hill, 2011). This statistic is way too high for our schools when there are plenty of anti-hate programs are available to help educate teachers and students. With the increase of hate crimes in schools it should be mandatory that elementary and middle schools provide programs for teachers and students to help ensure the healthy social development of children.
The sociological effects, which hate crimes have on students, is overwhelming and can follow them throughout life. According to Jackson and Finney (2002) life events in a child’s life set the stage for the way he or she will handle situations in the future. Jackson and Finney ran a case study examining the relationship between college career stage, negative life events, and psychological distress. In this case study they found that young adults subjected to negative life experiences had a harder time dealing with stressors in college. In turn, those students were found to have more issues with depression and turned to solutions, such as drugs and alcohol, to deal with their problems. In conclusion, this study proved that the issues that children have to deal with today in schools can have a lasting affect in their lives and therefore society needs to step up and take a proactive approach by helping our children become more socially accepting and in turn well rounded individuals.
Another example, of the effects of hate crimes have on students, is the number of students who drop out or are home schooled. According to, Tanemura Morelli and Spencer (2000), 45 percent of students who drop-out, do because of racism and bullying. In addition, the students reported that they either feared for their safety or were embarrassed
Tami Arreguin
COM/172
March 25, 2013
Jenifer Casey
Preventing Hate Crime in Schools
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, for the 2009-10 school years, 920 schools reported a total of 3,220 incidents of hate crimes (Neiman & Hill, 2011). This statistic is way too high for our schools when there are plenty of anti-hate programs are available to help educate teachers and students. With the increase of hate crimes in schools it should be mandatory that elementary and middle schools provide programs for teachers and students to help ensure the healthy social development of children.
The sociological effects, which hate crimes have on students, is overwhelming and can follow them throughout life. According to Jackson and Finney (2002) life events in a child’s life set the stage for the way he or she will handle situations in the future. Jackson and Finney ran a case study examining the relationship between college career stage, negative life events, and psychological distress. In this case study they found that young adults subjected to negative life experiences had a harder time dealing with stressors in college. In turn, those students were found to have more issues with depression and turned to solutions, such as drugs and alcohol, to deal with their problems. In conclusion, this study proved that the issues that children have to deal with today in schools can have a lasting affect in their lives and therefore society needs to step up and take a proactive approach by helping our children become more socially accepting and in turn well rounded individuals.
Another example, of the effects of hate crimes have on students, is the number of students who drop out or are home schooled. According to, Tanemura Morelli and Spencer (2000), 45 percent of students who drop-out, do because of racism and bullying. In addition, the students reported that they either feared for their safety or were embarrassed
References: Dupont, R. (October 2011). Parents say their son was a Victim of a Hate Crime. Retrieved from http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/parents-say-their-son-was-the-victim-of-a-hate-cri/nFPW9/ Jackson, P. B., & Finney, M. (June 2002). Negative Life Events and Psychological Distress among Young Adults. Social Psychology Quarterly, 65(2), 186-201. McLaughlin, K. A., & Brilliant, K. J. (N.D.). Healing the Hate: A National Hate Crime Prevention Curriculum for Middle Schools. Retrieved from http://www.njcrs.gov/pdffiles1/165479.pdf Neiman, S., & Hill, M. R. (2011). Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2011/2011320.pdf New Jersey Education Association. (n.d.). Pride in Public Education. Retrieved from http://www.njea.org/parents-and-community/pride Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Manual for Schools and Communities. (N.D.). Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/archives/crs/pubs/prevyouhatecrim.pdf Tanemura Morelli, P. T., & Spencer, M. S. (March 2000). Use and Support of Multicultural and Antiracist Education: Research-Informed Interdisciplinary Social Work Practice. Social Work, 45(2), 166-175.