This is from a school website's school conduct page. While no bullying and/or harrassement policies have become standard for most school corporations, this one interested me due to the term "relational aggression" and it's accompanying definition.
I would not disagree that relationships are used aggressively. At the same time, I hesitate to form a hasty opinion: building social alliances, done in a healthy, non-aggressive way, is also called "networking" and used beneficially by most of society. It is also true that abusers of all sorts can twist facts/rules to validate and continue their abuse. A common example of this is the spouse who quotes the Bible verse: "Wives, submit yourself to your husbands" as an excuse for his abuse.
Where do we draw the line of what is acceptable, what is healthy? Is there a ready solution for such debates?
{Note: I have replaced the school corporation name with 'xxxx' so not to detract from the social issues the policies illustrate).
No Bullying, Relational Aggression or Harassment
Bullying - The xxxx School believes that all people are to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. This is true regardless of an individual's color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, appearance, age, family background, marital status, socio-economic status, disability, or position in the school system. Our school community will not tolerate any behavior intended to degrade, insult, threaten or harm an individual in the school community; such behavior is grounds for disciplinary action.
Relational Aggression (RA) is behavior that is intended to harm someone by damaging or manipulating his or her relationship with peers. The xxxxxx School recognizes that students often use RA to gain social status or to handle conflict. RA at any xxxx school or building is unacceptable, as it leads to lowered self esteem, absenteeism, and possibly violence. Examples of RA are: spreading rumors, gossip, exclusion, taunting, and building social alliances. Within the xxxx School, practicing empathy and inclusion is the rule!
Harassment - The xxxxx School does not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disabilities or handicap in educational programs or activities. Harassment of a student(s) or staff member by other students or any member of the staff is contrary to the School Board's commitment to provide a physically and psychologically safe environment in which to learn and may be a violation of Federal or State law. In a group situation, each person is guilty of lending his or her influence to the group and will be responsible for what may have happened as a result of the actions of the group. Harassment includes any speech or action that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive learning environment.
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