A case of persecution against a six-year-old child, identified as\nMWP, at Taman Kramat Pulo by two teenagers has once again highlighted\nthe recurring phenomenon of bullying among Indonesian children and\nadolescents. National University sociologist Sigit Rohadi assessed that\nbullying is not a behaviour that appears suddenly, but rather a product\nof complex social dynamics.<\/p>\n
\u2018The causes of bullying are very complex. Nonetheless, the need for\nrecognition, both social status and control, is the most dominant,\u2019\nSigit told Media Indonesia on Thursday (11\/6).<\/p>\n
He explained that childhood and adolescence is a period of identity\nsearching influenced by three main factors: family, school, and peer\ngroups. In the context of bullying, peer influence is the greatest. Some\nteenagers bully to show dominance over a territory and ensure their\nenvironment is under their control.<\/p>\n
Sigit also revealed a frequent irony: bullying perpetrators are often\nvictims of bullying in another setting. An individual who loses in one\nenvironment, for instance at school, will seek an outlet in another\nenvironment where they feel stronger. \u2018Such teenagers are both victims\nand perpetrators of bullying and they build a confusing cycle,\u2019 said\nSigit.<\/p>\n
Beyond peer factors, he said, the family environment also plays a\nmajor role in producing bullying perpetrators. Harsh parenting styles\nthat involve shaming, mocking, or belittling a child have significant\npotential to shape bullying behaviour in the child later in life.<\/p>\n
Bullying is also often triggered by differences, be it body size,\nmental condition, race, religion, clothing style, socioeconomic status,\nor gender identity. Popular teenagers or those from powerful groups\nsometimes bully to protect or enhance their social status.<\/p>\n
To suppress this behaviour, Sigit encouraged the expansion of healthy\ncompetition, from the neighbourhood level up to the sub-district level.\nChildren need to get used to competing and cooperating under clear rules\nso that social recognition is based on achievement, rather than on\ndominance and violence. \u2018Children must be accustomed to competing and\ncooperating healthily with clear rules, so that recognition of someone\nis based on achievement,\u2019 Sigit concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/child-persecution-case-in-jakarta-reflects-unbroken-cycle-of-bullying-1781178697", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }