Opinion: Bullying Starts At Home

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) is currently investigating a disturbing case of bullying involving a teenage boy inside a mosque toilet on the island of AA. Rasdhoo. The incident gained attention after a video depicting the assault went viral on social media, prompting widespread outrage and calls for action against bullying. 

Bullying is a pervasive issue in schools worldwide, affecting millions of children and adolescents each year. In the Maldives, a 2009 survey found 37.7% of students experienced bullying. Likewise, a 2014 survey found one in four children are bullied at school in the Maldives.

As a consequence, victims of bullying suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, low self-esteem, behavioral issues, and academic struggles. To address this harmful behaviour and implement effective prevention strategies, it is important to understand the root causes of bullying.

What Causes Someone To Be A Bully?

In the field of psychology, human behavior is often analysed through the lens of nature and nurture.Individual elements affecting bullying include psychological factors, social influences, and family environment, while environmental factors include school culture and cyberbullying. 

Individual Factors:

   – Psychological Factors: 

Bullies often exhibit a combination of psychological traits that contribute to their aggressive behaviour. One research highlights that bullies frequently display low levels of empathy, making it difficult for them to understand or empathize with the feelings of their victims. This lack of empathy allows bullies to rationalize their actions and justify the harm they inflict on others. Additionally, bullies often demonstrate heightened levels of aggression, which can manifest in physical, verbal, or relational forms of bullying. This aggression serves as a means for bullies to assert dominance and control over their peers.

Furthermore, studies suggest that adverse childhood experiences or trauma can exacerbate these tendencies, leading to the development of maladaptive coping mechanisms. Individuals who have experienced trauma may resort to bullying as a way to cope with their own feelings of powerlessness or insecurity, perpetuating a cycle of harm.

   – Social Influences: 

The influence of peer dynamics on bullying behaviour cannot be understated. Peer pressure and the desire for social acceptance often compel individuals to conform to group norms, even if it means engaging in harmful behaviour.

Bullies may also seek validation from their peers by demonstrating power and dominance over vulnerable individuals, in an effort to enhance their social status.By providing a supportive environment where aggression is accepted and even rewarded, peer groups can serve as both catalysts and enablers of bullying behaviour.

   – Family Environment:

The family environment plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s attitudes and behaviours, including their propensity for bullying. Research suggests a correlation between dysfunctional family dynamics, parental neglect, and the perpetration of bullying. Children who experience inconsistent discipline or witness violence at home may internalize these behaviours, replicating them in school settings.

Additionally, parental neglect or lack of supervision can contribute to feelings of insecurity or low self-esteem, prompting children to seek validation through bullying behaviour.

As such, the consequences of a deficient family environment extend far beyond bullying. Children who find themselves alone and under-supported are at heightened risk of becoming ensnared in a cycle of crime, gang violence, and substance abuse. 

This vulnerability is particularly pronounced in urban centres like Malé, where an increasing number of children are drawn into gangs as a means of filling the void left by familial neglect. These gangs not only expose children to criminal activities but also serve as conduits for drug abuse, a problem that has surged in recent years.

Alarmingly, many of these children have experienced various forms of abuse in the past, whether physical, sexual, or emotional. The Maldives, despite its small population, records an approximate of 1000 of child abuse cases each year – most recently, 1,283 child abuse cases were reported during the year 2020, with the highest number of child abuse cases involving sexual abuse and neglect cases. 

Environmental Factors:

• School Climate:

The school climate, including factors such as disciplinary policies, supervision practices, and attitudes towards bullying, significantly influences the prevalence and perpetuation of bullying behaviour.

Environments lacking clear rules or consequences for bullying provide fertile ground for its perpetuation, as bullies feel emboldened to engage in harmful behaviour without fear of repercussions.

Conversely, schools with positive climates characterized by robust anti-bullying policies and supportive staff witness lower rates of bullying incidents. These schools create a culture of respect and inclusivity, where bullying is actively discouraged and addressed through proactive intervention strategies.

• Cyberbullying:

The proliferation of digital platforms has given rise to a new form of bullying known as cyberbullying, which presents unique challenges for prevention and intervention efforts.

Unlike traditional forms of bullying, cyberbullying occurs through online channels such as social media, messaging apps, and online forums, extending harassment beyond the confines of the school environment. The anonymous nature of online interactions allows bullies to target their victims with impunity, amplifying the psychological impact of their actions. 

Prevention strategies must adapt to address the evolving landscape of cyberbullying, incorporating digital literacy education, parental supervision, and collaboration with online platforms to promote safe and responsible online behaviour.

Strategies to Prevent Bullying:

a. Education and Awareness:

   – Anti-Bullying Programs: Schools should implement evidence-based anti-bullying programs that educate students, teachers, and parents about the consequences of bullying and promote empathy, kindness, and respect.

   – Peer Support: Peer-led initiatives, such as mentoring programs or peer mediation, empower students to intervene in bullying situations and foster a culture of peer support and solidarity.

   – Digital Literacy: Educating students about responsible online behaviour and the impact of cyberbullying is essential for preventing harassment in digital spaces. Teachers should incorporate lessons on digital literacy and online safety into the curriculum.

b. Supportive Environment:

   – Strong Policies: Schools must establish clear and enforceable anti-bullying policies that outline consequences for perpetrators and provide support for victims. Staff should receive training on how to identify and respond to bullying effectively.

   – Counselling Services: Access to mental health support services within schools can help both bullies and victims address underlying issues contributing to their behaviour and cope with the emotional impact of bullying.

   – Inclusive Culture: Promoting inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance within the school community fosters a sense of belonging and reduces the likelihood of discrimination or marginalisation, which can contribute to bullying.

c. Collaboration and Advocacy:

   – Community Involvement: Collaboration between schools, families, community organisations, and law enforcement agencies is essential for creating a coordinated approach to bullying prevention and intervention.

   – Advocacy and Policy Reform: Advocacy groups play a vital role in raising awareness about bullying and advocating for policy changes at the local, national, and international levels to address systemic issues contributing to bullying.

In conclusion, bullying is a complex phenomenon influenced by individual, social, and environmental factors. Research shows that bullying starts at home, with inconsistent discipline and neglect by from parents.

By addressing the root causes of bullying and implementing comprehensive prevention strategies, schools can create safer and more inclusive environments where all students can thrive. According to research, bullying seems to start at home, where children facing neglect

The causes of bullying are multifaceted, involving individual, social, and environmental factors. Evidence-based prevention strategies, such as education, supportive environments, and collaboration, are crucial for addressing this pervasive issue in schools.