School violence is not a new thing that has suddenly started to surface. The existence of violence in school can be traced back to the origin of our institutionalized education system. Our parents have witnessed school violence (to say the least), we have and if effective measures are not taken our children will witness school violence too.
It’s unfair to completely depend on the system to find solutions to our problem and have them implement some laws. It’s time we take things in our hands and protect our children from witnessing school violence.
To do so you need to first understand how violence in school affects our children. The wound can be treated only when you know where you are hurt. You need to learn about the effect of school violence on your child. Is it having a psychological impact on them or is it physical or social?
But, First…
What Is Violence In School?
School violence can be defined as the violence that takes place in the premises of a school, on the way to school and on the way back from school. School violence can be committed by fellow students, teachers or other school staff.
There are different types of school violence that your child can be subjected to:
Physical violence
Psychological violence
Sexual violence
Bullying
cyberbullying
What Is The Effect Of Violence In School On Children?
Each child is different and when children are subjected to different types of violence, the effect of it all is also very different. In most cases the mind and the body both are impacted by witnessing or experiencing violence in school.
Your child can be impacted in three ways:
Psychological effect of school violence,
Social effect of school violence &
Physical effect of school violence.
A child’s mind is very, very tender. If they experience violence in school they are most likely to be affected in all three ways. The body language changes, the stress of violence in school starts to weigh them down and in most cases children choose to alienate themselves.
Let’s look at each effect of school violence on children in detail…
Psychological Effect Of School Violence On Children
When a child witnesses or experiences violence in school they are in shock, to begin with. They came to school thinking it is a safe place for them to learn, grow and develop with their fellow students. Little did they know that they will have to face challenges that are beyond their capacity?
Our children’s tender minds are corrupted by the violence they witness or experience in school. Their thought process changes completely. They become psychologically distressed. This psychological distress can host multiple mental health illnesses.
Here are a few psychological effects of school violence
Children become stressed
Develop psychological conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
They develop toxic shame
They can also develop attachment disorders
They can suffer from cognitive impairment
May develop maladaptive coping strategies like substance abuse
Social Effect Of School Violence On Children
Our society plays a vital role in our child’s life. The school itself is a social environment where the child is subjected to violence and is forced to survive among those hungry wolves. We are all social beings and how society looks at us affects us a lot.
Children who experience school violence are not really fond of social gatherings or people in general. Unfortunately, we are all wired in such a way that if we are subjected to violence, we instantly start to feel shame and guilt. That’s so wrong, it should be the other way round.
Anyway, that will change only when you do it first! Like charity, change begins at home too.
Let’s look at some social impact of school violence on children…
Children prefer isolation
Develop social anxiety
Their relationship with family and friends start to suffer
They bare the brunt of having no friends
Their academics suffer
They escape all opportunities of growth and development that comes their way
There is no parent-child interaction
Reactive attachment disorder
Physical Impact Of School Violence On Children
Physical violence is one of the most commonly committed acts of violence in schools. We hear so many stories of boys (usually) fighting like animals or a senior thrashing a junior only because juniors had rolled their sleeves.
In fact when I was in school we couldn’t cross our seniors, we could sit on tables they usually sit on, we couldn’t look them in the eye, etc. these might sound silly but are acts of school violence. Well, there was bullying in my school but it ended there, did not come to physical violence.
In many schools breach of the rules set by some students did lead to physical violence and we all know how that turns out.
Here are some examples of the physical impact of school violence…
The posture of children changes
The body language becomes miser like
There are wounds, fracture, bruises, etc. because of close arm combat
Long-term physical disabilities
Homicide or suicide
Temporary or permanent physical damage
Impact Of School Violence On Academic Performance
A child’s academic performance is a reflection of their interaction, comprehension and experience in the school environment. Because of violence in the school all three are hindered and the mindset of the child is completely changed.
Children begin to fear going to school. They can’t concentrate on their studies because they are preoccupied by various disturbing thoughts of the violence they go through in school. In most cases academics suffer when a child has different things to worry about.
Here’s how the academics suffer…
Confidence declines
There’s no concentration in class
Tendency to skip school increases
Intelligence quotient is reduced
Can’t comprehend lessons in class
Scores low grades in tests
Ignore opportunities of growth and development
Things To Consider!
Violence in school affects a lot of children. It’s our duty to make our children feel safe wherever they go. It’s very important that we teach our children to report school violence whenever they witness or experience one.
Let’s teach our children to stand up against bullies and let’s teach ourselves to pay close attention to each child in school. Identifying and recognizing school violence is the first step towards protecting all children from school violence.
I hope you found this blog helpful. Do share this blog with all children and parents so that we can all understand the gravity of this situation. School violence has ruined my life. Let’s not make our children suffer the same fate.
Thanks for reading.
Take care and stay safe
The post Psychological, Social & Physical Impact Of School Violence On Children appeared first on Calm Sage – Your Guide to Mental and Emotional Well-being.