Everyone in society plays an important role in preventing bullying. While it is not possible to completely prevent bullying at this time, we must act now to dramatically reduce this horrendous epidemic facing the nation today and in the future. Positive parenting, school programs, discipline, and strong laws enforced against bullying are all ways to reduce it. These steps must involve parents, peers, schools, communities and the legal system. Everyone must work together to stop bullying. There are many types of bullying, ranging from, but not limited to, kicking, name-calling, slapping, and punching (Lisa Garby, 213). Bullying can happen in schools, communities, the workplace, homes and on the Internet. Today's focus will be on how to reduce bullying among elementary, middle and high school students across the nation. Reducing bullying will lead to the prevention of bullying in the future. Students experience bullying starting in elementary school, culminating in middle school, and decreasing in high school (Austin, Reynolds, Barnes, 2012). In the corridors, on the stairs, outside the school courtyard, in the bathrooms, in the changing rooms, in the classrooms, at school. buses and cafeterias are just some of the areas where bullying occurs, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (Austin, Reynolds, Barnes, 2012). According to what was published by the Institute of Education Sciences of the US Department of Education, students representing fifty-nine percent, over half of the academic population, have been or are victims of verbal bullying. One-third of all middle and high school students, 32%, have been physically bullied (Austin, Reynolds, Barnes, 2012). These n...... half of the paper...... & Williford, A.P. (2013). Effects of youth affairs prevention program on patterns of bullying and victimization in elementary and middle schools. National Association of Social Workers. 37(4), 361-372 Retrieved June 5, 2014, from http://content.ebscohost.com.bakerezproxy.palnet.info/pdf29_30/pdf/2013/SWK/01Dec13/93680596.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K= 93680596&S =Research and Development=ofs&EbscoContent=dGJyMMTo50SeprQ4yOvsOLCmr0yeqLFSs6m4S7aWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGut1GyrrdIuePfgeyx43zxO'Mara, M. (June 3, 2014). It's time to ban bullying. Excerpt from Gale Opposing views in context. Inadequate parenting, including overprotection, increases the risk of bullying. (2013, May 13). Excerpt from Gale Opposed Viewpoints in Context. Recent studies from the University of Chicago add new data to bullying. (2012, October 15). Weekly Mental Health Digest. Excerpt from Gale Opposing views in context.