Recent studies indicate a troubling trend in Virginia middle schools located in regions that supported Donald Trump in the 2016 election, where incidents of bullying and harassment have risen significantly. If you’ve noticed a shift towards a more hostile environment since the election, research confirms your observations—areas that backed Trump are experiencing heightened levels of teasing and bullying among school-aged children.
Educator and researcher Emily Harris highlights findings from a study conducted by Michael Grant, a leading authority on school violence at the University of Virginia, and Sarah Thompson, a quantitative research expert at the University of Missouri. Their investigation centered on Virginia—a pivotal state that saw Hillary Clinton receive 49.8% of the votes while Trump garnered 44.4%.
The researchers analyzed bullying rates in middle schools through surveys given to approximately 150,000 seventh and eighth graders before and after the election, mapping the results to the electoral outcome. The findings, while alarming, align with many anecdotal reports.
In 2017, bullying and teasing were “significantly higher” in districts that voted for Trump compared to those that supported Clinton. This trend was particularly evident in middle schools, where bullying rates in GOP districts were 18% higher than in Democratic ones. Around 20% of middle schoolers in Trump-supporting areas reported being bullied, versus 17% in districts that leaned Democrat. More alarmingly, incidents of racial or ethnic teasing were 9% more prevalent in GOP-supporting districts. The reasons for this uptick are worth exploring.
David Smith, a former president of the National School Climate Institute and an adjunct professor at a prominent university, shared insights on the research during a recent forum on school bullying. He noted, “This study affirms that Trump is having a tangible impact on America’s youth,” adding that he’s observed a rise in students exhibiting meanness and cruelty, particularly towards immigrants.
Even in a predominantly liberal area where I reside, my own children have relayed stories of their peers discussing “building the wall” and “keeping bad people out.” It’s alarming that these discussions are now part of our children’s reality. Smith further emphasized that it’s not just Trump’s influence; it’s also about the local community’s sentiments. “When a substantial number of parents harbor anti-immigrant views, Trump provides a platform for those beliefs to surface,” he stated.
Previous research from the Southern Poverty Law Center has echoed these findings, revealing an increase in hate incidents in schools nationwide. Educators reported that students expressed fear about deportation and were subjected to chants like “Build the wall,” aimed at Latino peers. Maureen Johnson, director of the Teaching Tolerance project, remarked that this type of bullying appears unique to the current political climate, describing it as “testosterone-drenched, emboldened behavior.”
While the researchers initially sought to publish their findings before public dissemination, Harris felt the urgency of the topic warranted immediate attention. She expressed surprise that the evidence corroborated numerous stories about bullying since Trump’s election. “As a journalist, I usually aim to find analyses that challenge prevailing narratives, but in this case, the data supports what we’ve all been hearing,” she said.
Although the research for 2018 remains incomplete, Johnson indicated that anti-immigrant bullying persists, suggesting that the troubling trend may continue. This is the reality for children in America today. Are we truly great again?
In summary, the “Trump Effect” is manifesting through increased bullying rates in areas that supported him, particularly among middle school students. The research underscores a troubling link between political sentiment and school behavior, raising concerns about the impact on future generations.
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