Villarica’s (2010) article “The Tricky Politics of Tween Bullying,” looks at the growing concerns of online bullying to tweens. Villarica cites numerous studies and articles which show that the media today emphasizes teen bullying without much support for tweens. Especially troubling is his use of a UCLA study which suggests that “the rate of bullying peaks when kids are 10 to 13 years old.”
In many ways this article has major implications for tweens and tween perception in the media. Villarica hits on a couple points that strike a chord. First, Villarica examines how the media solely focuses on bullying from a teen standpoint, often losing sight of what can happen to tweens. Additionally, he looks at a study which shows how social standing amongst peers can affect the role of bullying in 6th to 8th graders, as well as how society views this aggressive behavior. Villarica points that popularity amongst peers does have an impact upon how peers and society views their bullying. Thus excusing well liked bullies as showing a “kids will be kids” attitude or that their aggression can foster growth in the bullies’ own self esteem and competitive drive.
Ultimately, these points have lasting effects on how we as future librarians should view tweens. As illustrated in Anderson’s (2007) Serving Young Teens and ‘Tweens, Anderson understands that the young teen and tween-age are often an overlooked generation, that with the cognitive, emotional, and physical transitions occurring in these intervening years, we as professionals must strive to meet their needs while maintaining a safe environment. Thus as prospective libraries, it is necessary to understand the negative impact bullying may have on a tween while supporting their needs as they grow.
Anderson, S. B. (2007). Servicing young teens and ‘tweens. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Villarica, H. (12 Dec, 2010). The tricky politics of tween bullying. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/03/adolescents-anonymous-are-tweens-the-new-mean-girls/
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