A student’s problems can sometimes take a completely different turn than the parents would have expected. When the problem is not bad grades or laziness, it may turn out that the child has been a victim of mobbing at school . This would explain his changing moods, withdrawal from himself, falling into complexes, reluctance to attend the facility and many other, often much more serious changes in behavior.
It is worth being vigilant – overlooking or underestimating the problems faced by an adolescent young person may have disastrous consequences for his psyche. If you want your child to have a successful start into adulthood, help her in solving worldly worries. Don’t diminish their value! Mobbing at school must be stopped quickly, and if you do not know how to help your daughter or son, a session with a psychotherapist or child psychologist may be of assistance.
What is mobbing at school?
Many of us have heard of bullying at school, but not everyone knows what it really means. In practice, it is physical and verbal violence that another person or a group of people uses against one weaker person. The most common victims of harassment at school are children who stand out from others – with intelligence, interests, appearance, behavior or dress . Sometimes these are teenagers from poor families, but often also those with a higher social status.
However, what they have in common with the torturers is that occupy an equal position in the school hierarchy . They are students who have the same responsibilities and rights. In a situation where the psychological harassment of a child at school is involved, they are broken and abused, as well as against the prevailing order. This, in turn, endangers not only one person who is the immediate victim, but also others around them.
We also often deal with situations where the conflict arises between the child and the educator. Mobbing the teacher towards the student is an equally serious problem, often difficult to prove and solve. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to seek help.
When does school ridicule become dangerous?
Children at various stages of their growing up and education experience conflicts with their peers . The disagreements that arise between them can be perfectly normal and pass without much publicity. However, if ridicule at school turns into harassment, mockery, and sometimes even beating or robbing, then we can talk about mobbing. It is a long-term process that is often supervised by teachers or parents. However, caregivers may not be aware of the situation for a long time as the perpetrators are discreet and the victims are intimidated and unable to seek help.
What might you think of a child being bullied at school?
Over time, parents partially lose control of their child and don’t know as much about him as they would like to. It is normal in adolescence that a teenager wants to become independent, socialize, spend time with friends. However, this attitude absolutely does not absolve mothers and fathers from being extremely vigilant. You will learn that your child is being ridiculed at school by observing her behavior at home. Problems with other students or teachers may be indicated by:
- feeling of nervousness accompanying the child chronically during normal daily activities, abdominal pain before going to school and after returning, stress intensifying mainly after the weekend,
- sleep disturbance,
- loss appetite,
- apathy,
- depressive states, loss of self-confidence, loss of faith in one’s own abilities and low self-esteem,
- problems with remembering and concentration ,
- weakening of immunity,
- loss of interest in a hobbies liked so far,
- avoiding people, leading a solitary lifestyle.
It happens – and not uncommon – that the victim becomes the aggressor himself. Trying to defend himself, he begins to play the role of a class jester, informer. He builds his image as independent and courageous or, on the contrary, runs away from the problem (truancy, drugs, bad company, which he tries to win over to his side).
Harassment at school can have serious psychological consequences for a young person who is not immune to the transmitted verbal attacks. As much of a concern as bullying at school is the use of physical violence for the purposes of intimidation, robbery and finally for fun.
Bullying at school – helping a child who is a victim
The victims of mobbing at school are usually children with reduced mental resistance – weaker, calmer, withdrawn, having learning difficulties, sick. They are an easy target for the stronger, who usually don’t take much time or effort to break them. What is their purpose in persecution? At school, it can simply be a way to gain recognition and popularity among peers, build a leadership position, and gain self-esteem at the expense of others. Sometimes there is harassment at school is a way of forcing another student to pay pocket money, do homework for the torturer, or claim other material and non-material benefits.
A child who is a victim of mobbing should be provided with quick and professional help. School educators and psychologists are expected to be vigilant and take radical action. But what if the problem is mobbing the teacher towards the student? As a parent, you always have the right to seek help from other specialists. In our psychological office, in a discreet and empathetic atmosphere, you will tell about problems that plague your family and you will gain effective help, tips and solutions on how to end psychological harassment at school once and for all.
Also check:
Mobbing at work – what to do?