Signs and forms of aggression and bullying at school

Abstract

In today’s society, the presence of aggression and violence in various educational institutions tests the patience, conflict management and capacity for action of teachers, school administrators and parents alike. The sensitivity of the issue complicates not only student-student relationships, but also teacher-student and teacher-parent relationships. The increasing role of social media in shaping relationships means that, as they become more commonplace, conflicts in school can manifest not only directly in physical space but also in virtual space. While physical bullying at school can leave the victim safe at home, electronic bullying has no time limit, which can make the victim more anxious. Bullying can also affect the victim’s personality and academic performance, isolating them from their peers. Bullying also has a negative impact on bystanders, both inter-and intra-personal, with witnesses experiencing feelings of helplessness and guilt. Research shows that bullying is linked to classroom climate and pupil well-being, suggesting that aggression at school is not an individual problem but a class and, more importantly, a school problem. The school environment alone can increase or decrease the incidence of bullying. From the pont of view of intervention and prevention, the fact that bullyin is a compley phenomenon cannot be ignored and it is therefore necessary to develop cooperation between the individual, the family and the school and to create a programme that can be effective for all those involved in bullying.