<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The definition of the word ‘bullying’ diverges based on the field of practice and research, in the absence of an agreed-upon overreaching definition. The latter would allow maximum flexibility in contributing to the variations in findings of various academic studies. Some argue that the lack of comprehensive definition is a factor of inaccuracy in estimating the prevalence of bullying itself. The ‘definition’ per se [of bullying] is in general recognized by the state law of the United States as one of the key components of any policy adopted by the states and local educational agencies, and which is required to be consistent with the definitions specified in state law. This article presents an overview of the definitions of bullying beyond the legal sphere in general as well as from a legal perspective. Special focus is dedicated to the state laws of the US as the main national jurisdiction that has adopted education law that contains explicit definition of bullying, as well as some of the aspects of defining bullying within the general and legal context of Lithuanian jurisdiction.</p></abstract>

The definition of the word ‘bullying’ diverges based on the field of practice and research, in the absence of an agreed-upon overreaching definition. The latter would allow maximum flexibility in contributing to the variations in findings of various academic studies. Some argue that the lack of comprehensive definition is a factor of inaccuracy in estimating the prevalence of bullying itself. The ‘definition’ per se [of bullying] is in general recognized by the state law of the United States as one of the key components of any policy adopted by the states and local educational agencies, and which is required to be consistent with the definitions specified in state law. This article presents an overview of the definitions of bullying beyond the legal sphere in general as well as from a legal perspective. Special focus is dedicated to the state laws of the US as the main national jurisdiction that has adopted education law that contains explicit definition of bullying, as well as some of the aspects of defining bullying within the general and legal context of Lithuanian jurisdiction.

The Definition of Bullying in Compulsory Education: From a General to a Legal Perspective

Baltic Journal of Law & Politics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The definition of the word ‘bullying’ diverges based on the field of practice and research, in the absence of an agreed-upon overreaching definition. The...

The Definition of Bullying in Compulsory Education: From a General to a Legal Perspective

Published Online: Oct 25, 2017

Page range: 205 - 229

Received: Dec 04, 2016

Accepted: Jun 22, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bjlp-2017-0008

Keywords
Right to education, bullying, definition of bullying, legal definition of bullying

© 2017 Agnė Margevičiūtė, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Definition of Bullying in Compulsory Education: From a General to a Legal Perspective

Published Online: Oct 25, 2017

Page range: 205 - 229

Received: Dec 04, 2016

Accepted: Jun 22, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/bjlp-2017-0008

KeywordsRight to education, bullying, definition of bullying, legal definition of bullying

© 2017 Agnė Margevičiūtė, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Right to education, bullying, definition of bullying, legal definition of bullying