Which States Are the Worst at Handling Bullying?

Planning a move? Check out these states that are statistically the worst at handling bullying before you decide where to set down roots for your family.

Bullying is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Not only does bullying have a socioeconomic impact on our nation, it’s also causing many of our nation’s youth to cut their bright lives short. Unfortunately, some states are worse than others when it comes to handling bullying. If you’re planning a move but not sure where you want to go, you might want to reconsidering the places on this list if you’re already trying to deal with bullying.

 What Is Bullying

Bullying is a form of intimidation that uses aggressive behavior and words in order to hurt another. Bullying is prevalent in schools, with students acting out against other students, causing fear and intimidation. Although the more traditional form of bullying is when a student uses physical force to cause harm, in the modern age, bullying can also be found online with students using words to ostracize others, causing emotional harm.

Which States are the Worst When it Comes to Handling Bullying?

Unfortunately, bullying can be found in any school around America. Some states have anti-bullying laws and policies in place, however, which helps to lessen the instances of aggression. Other states, unfortunately, have higher occurrences of bullying.

According to Wallet Hub, the top five states that are the worst when it comes to handling bullying are:

  • Arkansas
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • North Dakota

These states had a combination of prevalence of bullying, with a high level of impact on the students being bullied overall. Montana, Missouri and Arkansas appeared in the top five lists of most high-school students bullied in school AND online. Maine and New Hampshire rounded out the list of states with the largest cyberbullying problem.

Interestingly, only Arkansas and Louisiana made the top 5 list of states where students skipped school because they didn’t feel safe. The list goes into details regarding other factors about the states that are the worst with bullying prevalence.  But does this mean that they are the worst at handling bullying? Honestly, bullying laws are so new in so many states. Perhaps time will tell if these states can shape up and start handling bullying a bit better.

Why We Need to Stop Bullying

Bullying is something that needs to be stopped for many reasons. The survey on Wallet Hub measured the socioeconomic costs of bullying in the United States, but there are many personal costs as well. Students who are bullied are more likely to skip school, which can result in academic repercussions. Students who feel ostracized or intimated can also cause physical harm to themselves, sometimes resulting in death. No child deserves to feel this way, which is why these states need to do more to help prevent bullying.

 

Which state do you live in? Do you think they’re doing a good job at handling bullying, or do they need a bit more work on their policies and laws?

22 thoughts on “Which States Are the Worst at Handling Bullying?”

  1. From what I see and read in the news papers. Is the way the school system here in my town is to ignor the problem . that is why we had a school shooting last year . A lot if the bulling comes equally from higher and lower income families . Sadly I see nothing bieng done so far from the school districts . The best way to handle this is put the belt back to these kids , put more religion back , and teach them more respect . Look what happens when you take the fundamentals of dissaplean away . Kids learn there is no punishment for wrong doing .

  2. Bullying is and has been a hot topic for quite a while–as a teen I did face bullying, and I think it’s important that we as adults do all we can to try to help and support those kids who are bullied (and reprimand the kids who initiate the bullying).

  3. Interesting to see which states are the worse when it comes to bullying. What people sometimes forget is that it can happen anywhere, not just at schools when you are young.

  4. It’s so unfortunate that there even HAS to be laws against bullying because kids AND adults should know better. It also saddens me so much that people have to resort to tearing one another down instead of making the world a better place by building each other up. You just have to wonder WHY?

  5. I am glad my state did not make that list, but it happens here for sure. More parents, schools, and adults in general need to intervene and help put a stop to bullying.

  6. Thankfully we don’t have much bullying in our school (if any). Our school does not tolerate bullying. I am surprised we are not in the top 5 states though (thankfully).

  7. We just moved to Florida, so I’m not sure what the bullying concentration is here, yet. I know that my son hasn’t come home with any horror stories yet, so fingers crossed.

  8. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    It’s a school thing, not necessarily a state thing. Here in MA, each school deals with it on their own.

  9. When I was in middle school I was bullied a lot. I made sure the principal and school took care of it and I have to say, they did a good job.

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