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Bullying: Policy and Sociological Theory

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Bullying: Policy and (Sociological) Theory Sociological theories, concepts, and studies provide a greater purpose and function more than just being products of academic and research extension work. Work in policy development is where usually these theories and studies are translated into policy recommendations and if lobbied and defended with strong support from key and influential individuals and groups, could actually lead to legislative action. Indeed, the conversion of theory to policy is a process that drives sociologists and social researchers to explore, determine, and understand more social phenomena that would create great impact to the society in general. One of the examples in which theory is translated to policy is on the issue of bullying in schools. The National Crime Prevention Council, through its program, Positive Change Through Policy ( HYPERLINK "http://www.ncpc.org" www.ncpc.org), provides specific policies and legislation that have been developed as a result of social research and studies that used sociological theories as the foundation of the research work. In the case of bullying, NCPC cited three examples of policy and legislation that proactively addresses the issue of bullying in schools. These policies/legislation include: (1) a policy in New York that formally commits schools to proactively prevent bullying in their respective schools, in addition to providing counseling and intervention programs to bullies and 'reformed' bullies; (2) a law in

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