Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-20-2019
Department 1
Sociology
Abstract
In this article I examine the factors that influence fifth grade student decisions regarding whether or not to report negative interactions to adults. Data from observations and interviews with students and adults show that there are many factors influencing the reluctance to tell on others. Among them is a school context in which verbal attacks are downplayed and telling is seen as ineffective and stigmatized. This context prevents bystanders from reporting what they have observed and places those with a lack of social support at a significant disadvantage when dealing with negative behavior.
Copyright Note
This is the author's version of the work. This publication appears in Gettysburg College's institutional repository by permission of the copyright owner for personal use, not for redistribution.
DOI
10.1080/00380253.2019.1625737
Version
Post-Print
Recommended Citation
Harger, Brent. 2019. “To Tell or Not to Tell: Student Responses to Negative Behavior in Elementary School.” The Sociological Quarterly 60(3): 479-497.
Required Publisher's Statement
This article is available on the publisher's website: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00380253.2019.1625737
Included in
Educational Sociology Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Place and Environment Commons