Bullies in School

Bullying in School

Introduction

Bullying has been defined as longstanding violence physical or psychological, conducted by an individual or group and directed against an individual who is not able to defend themselves in the actual situation. The threat can be carried out in two major forms that is psychological and physical threat. Some researchers had defined that the incident would include intimidation, extortion, physical threats, the destruction of homework and psychological bullying. Bullying, whether done verbally, physically or in cyber space, is wrong and should be dealt with seriously.

In Malaysia, we are also seeing a rise in bullying cases in schools and acts of violence in teenagers in the form of gangsterism, for example. Being a developing country intent on achieving First World status in the years to come, we have also inadvertently inherited some of First World's problems, and bullying in schools is on an ascending scale. Although the relevant authorities tend to play down the seriousness of the problem, parents and teachers are well aware of the actual situation.

For the last two years, bullying in school became increase. In the news paper, there are several cases that involve students in bullying and some of the victims of bullying meet to death. So sad when these happened. Who was wrong actually? Do the school's teacher don't play the right role in school? Do the parents ignore their children? Does the government doesn't do anything? Why such bullying happened?

The factors contribute bullying in schools

In one of the research that has been done by Prof Datin Dr Noran Fauziah Yaakub, the President of Psychology Malaysian Community, she found several factors that cause bullying in school. The main factor is it is the bully's satisfactory when he successfully abuse the victim in verbally and physically. On other words, he bullies the others just to have fun. In Dr Noran's research also found that most of the pupils who involve in this activity do not have fix relationship with their parents and those are come from family's background that lack and do not concern about religion education.

In her research also shows that pupils who do not have any talents in academic and have low achievement like to bully other pupils because they are influence by jealousy to excellence pupils. With this way, they could transmit their unsatisfactory and unhappiness to others pupils. But normally, the common factor they bullying is because they feel that they are strong and have power to punish the victims in their way they like and obviously they hate the victims.

Suggestion to overcome bullying in school

Some actions have taken by all parties such as government, teachers, parents, and others. One agreement as a contract between students, parents and schools must be made to prevent these cases of bully in school especially in boarding school. The contract is a confession that must be sign by students and parents to follow the rules of schools and ready to be punished by the school if they are found to be guilty disobeying the rules that have been made.

President of Psychology Malaysian Community. Prof Datin Dr Noran Fauziah Yaakub said that such agreement have been carry out in the develop country and that makes the bully's cases decrease. Each student is required to sign the agreement at the beginning of the year or the beginning of the session.

As parents, we are naturally concerned about this problem. What can we do to prevent our children from being bullies or victims of bullying? Here are some suggestions:

1. Conduct yourselves well in the presence of your children - The best example is personal example. If in our daily conduct we are calm, level-headed and confront problems with care, chances are your children would do likewise. But if you are constantly angry and aggressive, chances are your children would also be aggressive too.

2. Open the doors of communication in your family - Practise open communication with your children so that thoughts, feelings and emotions are freely expressed without any inhibitions. This way, your children would more likely to open up to you if there are any problems in schools.

3. Have a keen interest in your child's schooling - Talk to your children's teachers and friends and know what is going on at school. Be an active participant in your child's schooling process and don't leave everything to the school to handle.

4. Learn to read behavioral signs - Any changes in your child's behaviour should be noted and heeded. Your prompt action may be the deciding factor in your child's safety and emotional health.

If your child is being bullied:

1. Talk to the teacher and principal of the school to find out the real problem. If the situation warrants it, make a police report.

2. If the school is receptive in solving the problem, work with it to ensure that the problem is stemmed.

3. Take your child out of school if you are fully convinced that you are not getting co-operation from the school on the matter. Note that a boy in the UK was killed the very day his mother approached the school about her child's complaint of being bullied at school. The principal had said that such bullying was common and that the school could do nothing about it.

If your child is a bully:

1. Re-evaluate your relationship with your child and work towards having a greater understanding of him or her.

2. Re-examine your family priorities and make positive changes, even if it may be painful initially, to improve