On the unfriendly side of the mountain: Prince Edward Island secondary students' experiences and perceptions of bullying

Bullying is a serious problem in today's schools, and its impact is far-reaching and devastating. Peer victimization occurs in every school, and educators have a responsibility to address it. This study investigated secondary students in Prince Edward Island, Canada, who identified themselves as having been significantly affected by bullying. In analyzing how the students in the study experience and perceive bullying, as well as the degree to which they feel they can effect change, several implications for educators emerge. Upon analysis of the participants' stories, the following themes are identified and discussed: (1) Experiences as a Target—Commonalities and Anomalies; (2) The Targets' Perceptions of the Bullies in Comparison with the Literature; (3) Coping Strategies and Survival Mechanisms; (4) Remedies: Pessimism versus Optimism; and (5) The Perceived Failure of the School.