SCHOOL bullying is a problem around the globe. As well as the victims, the other children who witness this kind of harassment can also be impacted, stresses psychologist Catherine Verdier, who specializes in school bullying issues.
From insults and name-calling, to mockery, teasing, physical abuse and sexual assault, school bullying can take the form of repeated verbal, psychological and/or physical violence inflicted by children on their classmates.
It's a serious issue which, due to its complexity, must be fought by various approaches. One of them is education and encouraging the development of values such as empathy and kindness, says Catherine Verdier, a children's psychologist, therapist and analyst.
It's a concept that the specialist develops in her book "L'écologie scolaire" [the ecology of school], published in April by Editions Dunod. ETX Studio caught up with the psychologist to find out more.
In the collective imagination, kindness has long been associated with "weakness." How has this notion evolved in our societies?
There's more awareness about it, and it is given more value than before, but putting that into practice is more complicated. Kindness is fundamentally linked to friendliness and respect for others, as well as empathy and goodwill. However, we often associate these notions when we teach them to children with being "polite" or "good." Which, of course, is not the same thing.
What advice would you give to parents to help instill these values in their children?
The key is to pay attention to children's emotional vocabulary. Studies have shown that the more a child is shown kindness and is listened to, the more oxytocin they secrete, which will make them empathetic and altruistic. Discussion, support and encouragement also work very well, as the child reacts by mimicry. But there is really no instruction manual. Kindness is transmitted more than it is learned, and the same is true for empathy.
What role does empathy play in school bullying?
Empathy is at the heart of the bullying issue. According to scientific research, empathy emerges at a very early age, as early as 18 months. But if you ask a bully to put themselves in their victim's shoes, you'll find that empathy is gone.
Conversely, too much empathy can lead to heightened suffering for others: children who witness the bullying of a peer will suffer for that child and thus for themselves. Generally speaking, a child who witnesses violence (whether at school or at home) is also a victim, because witnessing these scenes, especially if they are repeated, will generate anxiety and worry. Guilt too. The child doesn't know where to stand, they will wonder if they should defend the victim, at the risk of being bullied in turn, or being stigmatized for "telling".
What can we do to help children who witness bullying?
By helping them feel less guilty and making them understand that standing up for a friend or peer is a sign of courage and empathy, and that it does not make them "a snitch." This is a term that we should stop using, because we are not talking about tattling or snitching, but about helping people who are suffering! We can also tell them (again, without making them feel guilty) that not reacting to violence is, in a way, condoning it. The aim is to make them understand that kindness is a strength.
Couldn't herd instinct risk overshadowing the values conveyed at home?
Absolutely, but the intensity of the violence often ends up making children uncomfortable, and they then generally become more inclined to talk about it. This collective dimension is also essential because the bullies do everything they can to keep their victims in a situation of isolation and exclusion.
How can the power of the collective be used to help combat, or at least limit, school bullying?
The strength of the group can be very negative in bullying, but it can also be very positive. If we take the statistic that one in 10 children is a bully, that leaves us with a large number of children in witness positions. So the power of this group is enormous, and it is very important to make them understand. Adults obviously have a major role to play and must also be made aware of these mechanisms and levers.
ETX Studio
Fri Nov 19 2021
As well as the victims, bullying at school can also affect children who witness this kind of harassment. - ETX Studio
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.