“How children and adolescents understand school violence”

Shiakou, DR. (Monica)

 

Submission type

Oral only

Scheduled

Room 117, 10-07-2019, 13:30 - 15:00

Keywords

School Violence, Children, Adolescents, Understandings, Empowerment, School Climate

Summary

 

This study was designed to explore the perceptions, opinions, attitudes and experiences of children and adolescents about school violence and its possible causes through the use of  six focus groups (n=59). (1) Perception of School violence; (2) Causes of school violence; (3) Types of Observers and (4) Dealing with school violence, were the four themes that emerged out of the children’s and adolescents spontaneously expressed ideas and were evaluated, in an effort to understand school violence from their point of view.  Overall, the students do not understand or perceive school violence according to the official definition, although the older students gave definitions closer to the ones in the literature. Additionally, the findings revealed that the students do not distinguish bullying from school violence. Interpretation of the themes and meanings are discussed, suggesting perhaps that researcher’s/policy makers take a different stance in dealing with the phenomenon. In addition to educating them on recognizing school violence, the students demanded that schools provide them with opportunities to develop transferable skills that will enable them to become productive citizens in the future as well as empower them to take an active role in shaping a positive school environment.

 

Auteurs