Bullying in schools: psychological causes and prevention approaches

School bullying was never considered as a real social problem until 1980's. The recent escalation in School bullying has gained attention of the masses throughout the world. Several suicide and homicide cases were highlighted by media where bullying was found to be an important factor involved. Out of 37 shooting events in different schools, nearly two third of the shooters were found to be victims of bullying in their life but not particularly in schools. However, the cases where the shooters had been a victim of bullying in a school, the tormented experience was found to play an important role in motivation for the attack. (Dake, Price, & Telljohann, 2003)

Why do children bully?

In this research paper, an interview was conducted from a professional psychologist having expertise in this field. She herself was witness to several bullying cases in her early life. According to her, most of the teenagers who are involved in bullying have severe psychological problems. The type of parenting style they face in homes is punitive and they tend to take the frustration out on peers who are physically weaker than themselves. This gives the bullying children a sense of mental satisfaction that they do have some sort of authority, and they can also punish others. Dake, Price and Telljohann (2003) also discussed that students identified as bullies were more likely to come from families having an authoritative style of child upbringing. Similarly, bullies themselves were victims to punitive behavior by their parents.

Preventing Bullying

In order to prevent bullying from happening, several other issues are important to consider and observe. Some of which are identifying the victims of bullying, helping them out whenever they are being bullied, identifying the forms of bullying, encouraging students to stand up for themselves, deciding bullying prevention tactics, employing a pro-active approach to bullying and so forth. All of these issues were discussed in the interview. According to the psychologist interviewed, victims of bullying are students who are physically weak or have some sort of disability whether physical or psychological. Similarly, some of the bright students who are physically not strong can be subjected to bullying and due to which, they are more likely to become introvert. The real problem with such victims is to inquire about any such incident because they may find it discomforting and shameful on personal grounds. (Owusu, Hart, Oliver, & Kang, 2011) A solid reason for it could be that the victims can find management reluctant to help. Similarly, most of the witnesses never get involved to prevent bullying to happen, because they may also face danger of retaliation. Sampson (2012) reported that nearly 66% of the victims believed that school professionals poorly address the problem. As a result, feeling ashamed by notifying the authorities and facing the retaliation could prove costly. Such students are to be observed and if they are found bullied in schools or even outside the school premises by school mates, an action is necessary to be taken in order to help them.

Nowadays, apart from the traditionally used verbal and physical bullying, cyber bullying is also being used intensely by the bullies. According to the psychologist interviewed, cyber bullying may sound a little easier to handle but in reality, it puts a lot of pressure on the victims' psychological state of mind and increases the chances of drastic actions against their own selves or the bullies. In the past decade, several teenagers have committed suicides due to continuous cyber bullying. Hinduja and Patchin (2010) revealed a link between cyber bullying and low self-esteem, family problems, confidence issues, suicidal thoughts, school fights, and low academic scores.

The psychologist interviewed is working against bullying problem in two schools. According to her, a proper set of rules is available in order to report against any possible bullying activity noticed. The good thing about these set of rules is that the by standers are also provided security by the school. Any student found directly involved in bullying or an accomplice is expelled from the school. However, not every school fight is considered to be an act of bullying. The matter is investigated extensively involving the parents of both the parties. These set of rules are so strictly met that thinking about bullying someone seems the least interesting idea to a student. On the other hand, the school uses biblical scriptures and verses, in order to spread awareness against bullying. Two of the verses of the Holy Bible used are

1) And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' From the book of Matthew.

2) For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off. From the book of Isaiah.

These two and many other verses from the Holy Bible are used by the teachers to spread word against bullying in any form. Bullying should be encountered with awareness against it. Both the pro-active and reactive approaches are necessary to be used against bullying before it becomes impossible to handle.