Narratives of Bullying in Young Adult Literature, the News Media, and Adolescents' Experiences

• In Event: 43.080 - Sheraton Roundtable Six - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 43.080-2 - Critical Listening and Thinking With Diverse Narratives

Abstract

In our multiple-concurrent phase study, we investigate the confluence and divergence of narratives about bullying and the roles that individuals play in the bullying process across three genres: young adult literature, the news media, and adolescents’ experiences with bullying as shared during a book club. We found that young adult literature presents a range of narratives, from uncomplicated stories in which a single bully targets a victim to nuanced stories in which bullying occurs through layered actions. However, the news media presents monolithic narratives typically told from the victim’s perspective. Throughout the book club, adolescents discussed their experiences with bullying and explored how characters and they themselves occupy different roles (e.g., victim or bystander) in the bullying process.

Authors

• Heather L. Hurst, Frostburg State University

• EIBHLIN RYAN, Frostburg State University

• Mallory Wishard, Frostburg State University

• Grace Daigle, Frostburg State University

• Lili Leonard, Frostburg State University