Bullying of Students From Refugee Backgrounds: Resistance and Coping Strategies

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: Opportunities and Tensions in Schooling Experiences for Newcomer and Refugee Students

Abstract

This presentation examines how students from refugee backgrounds resist and cope with bullying in urban high schools in the United States. A qualitative study was conducted with twelve high school students attending public urban high schools. Focus group interviews served as a data source. Participants reported a wide range of bullying experiences as well as strategies of resisting and coping with bullying. Situating the study within the context of social justice education theory, this presentation will share possibilities for safe public schools in order for students from refugee backgrounds to realize their dreams in their new country.

Keywords: students from refugee backgrounds, bullying

Authors

• Shirley N. Mthethwa-Sommers, Nazareth College

• Otieno Kisiara, Nazareth College