Bullying begins with bad words, teasing and then escalates to physical attack
Picture for representational purpose
Hyderabad:Bullying in schools needs to be nipped in the bud and if not addressed in time it will lead to violent behaviour as was witnessed in the case of a Class IX student of Scindia School in Gwalior.
The 14-year-old student is the son of Bihar’s co-operative minister Jai Kumar Singh and is in critical condition in the hospital. Parents allege that he was a victim of bullying in the school. Bullying is a major problem in most schools, and psychologists say that it is very important to curb it right at the start. Bullying begins at a verbal level and escalates to the physical level over time.
Usha Reddy, president, CBSE Schools’ Association, Hyderabad, said, “Bullying begins with bad words, teasing and then escalates to physical attack. Often we explain to the child, who is bullying, to understand how it feels to be bullied. We try to bring about a change in the bully child.”
It is very important to create a free and fair atmosphere in school where a child feels confident enough to speak up about verbal or physical abuse. Acts like verbal taunts, name-calling and intimidation are initial gestures of aggression.
Professor H.M. Kulshrestha director and principal of Indian Institute of School of Psychology, West Maredpally, said, “Constant complaints against a student for bullying others results in termination from school, but that is not the solution. It requires effort from parents, school and psychologists to help the child overcome this problem. Often the causes are minor, usually ‘attention seeking’, or just venting of anger or frustration.”
Psychiatrist Dr C. Chandra at Care Hospitals says, “Often it is the lack of attention from parents that makes a child a bully. Sibling rivalry or neglecting one child also leads to this condition. It makes the child vent his or her feelings at school by being abusive or physically attack a meek child. Mentors must be encouraged to single these children out and counsel them. Once the first stage of anti-personality disorder is crossed, and they get into drugs or substance abuse, it becomes a chronic problem.” said Dr C. Chandra.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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