BULLYING, TEEN AND YOUTH VIOLENCE

By Cecilia Gutiérrez A., Psychologist NSW SLASA.

psychologist@nswslasa.com.au   

Bullying is the systematic and consistent intimidation and abuse among students over a period of time. It refers to all forms of aggressive behavior that occur within the school context, carried out by one or more students against another. Formerly known as "school bullying", we now use the term bullying to mean "intimidation." Those who behave violently in school do so with clear intention of exerting their power over others. This is achieved through insults, manipulation, constant aggression and threats, with the bully maintaining control over another youth for months or even years. The bullied youth’s quality of life drastically deteriorates, resulting in significant anxiety and mood disorders including depression, panic attacks, anxiety and phobias. Cognitive dimension can also be affected; alterations in attention, perception and memory functions can lead to difficulties in concentration, resulting in poor school performance. These are just some of the consequences created by bullying, not to mention school dropouts, and in severe cases, suicide.

In summary, it is essential to raise awareness of the impact of violence and to create strategies to break the vicious cycle that spans generations. Violence is found in all social settings, beginning in the family as domestic violence, establishing itself at school as bullying, and then, in adult life and in work situations manifesting as "mobbing".

Thus, the fundamental idea is to view violence as a process of social responsibility urgently in need of concrete action to address it throughout its different stages and in the social settings where it can occur, and to gain awareness. Preventing violence and promoting good behaviour requires an optimistic look at reality and a commitment to childhood and adolescent well being, in hope of attaining a society that is healthier, supportive and engaged.

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