More than two-thirds of Utahns believe there is a problem with bullying in public schools – elementary, junior high and high schools – a new UtahPolicy poll finds.
And perhaps now is a good time for public discussion of bullying, as GOP presidential leader Donald Trump is often accused of bullying by his opponents.
Pollster Dan Jones & Associates finds that 68 percent of Utahns believe there is a problem of bullying in public elementary schools.
That belief goes up when high schools are considered – 73 percent of Utahns believe bullying of students is a problem there.
But, as one might expect, the worst bullying goes on in junior high schools, Utahns say.
Eighty percent – or 8 out of 10 Utahns – say bullying is a “serious” or “somewhat” of a problem in junior high schools – where some students are often accused of being physically or verbally mean to other students.
Utah already has a rather comprehensive anti-bullying law, passed in 2008 by the Legislature. You can read it here.
The question is whether it is enforced, and to what degree.
Jones’ new poll finds:
- Among all Utahns, 68 percent say there is a problem with bullying in elementary schools, 22 percent say there is not, and 11 percent don’t know.
- 73 percent say there’s bullying going on in high schools, 15 percent say no and 12 percent don’t know.
- 80 percent of Utahns say there’s a problem with bullying in junior high schools, usually kids ages 12 to 15. Nine percent disagree – no bully problems – and 11 percent don’t know.
Women typically have more to do with raising children and shepherding them through their public school years.
And Jones finds that women are more concerned about bullying in schools than men.
- 62 percent of men say there’s a problem with bullying in elementary schools, but 73 percent of women believe that.
- 68 percent of men say bullying is a problem in high schools, 78 percent of women believe that.
- And 75 percent of men say there is bullying in junior highs while 86 of women say that.
Jones polled 625 adults from Feb. 10–15. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.92 percent.
