The culture referred to is the school culture where conflict (teacher vs
student, student vs student, teacher vs teacher) is considered normal.
I was startled by their finding that a significant number of students
reported being both victims and victimizers. And I'm surprised at my own
surprise, since it jibes with my experience as a student, teacher, and
parent of students. It's reminded me that student and teacher harrassment
of female and gay students is a symptom of a larger problem. I know many
teachers consider student cruelty toward one another to be natural and part
of normal development. They may regret it, but they don't feel obligated to
try to change it.
Marian Keyes
Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL)
P. O. Box 1348 (800) 624-9120
Charleston, W.V. 25325 (304) 347-0403