Bullies are not able to quarrel! A discussion about conflicts and the community development

Novara D., Regogliosi L.

Carocci Editore

Italian

English

Group- conflict – community- dealing with crisis - prevention

Book

Parents, Teachers, Researchers, School Directors.

Over 100 pages

What can we do about bullying? Violent and bullying acts are often mentioned in mass media reports, but teachers, educators and parents do not know how to face it. Bullies are neither braggart nor simply arrogant guys. Bullying causes harms and damage and it must be stopped. But the question is: how? After years of researches and interventions focused on individuals, with the impossible aim of making bullies “more tolerant” and victims “less unprotected”, this book suggests a change towards more efficient pedagogical interventions. The group and the power it has to change the attitudes of single individuals are the key points that teachers must take into account. Herewith two models are described, together with precise and already tested strategies. The starting hypothesis is that bullying is not only a form of injustice, but a conflicting and socio-relational incompetence. When the ability of the groups to become community and the knowledge about how to handle with conflicts are reinforced, the phenomenon changes dimensions because it does not find the suitable background for its development. It is a serious and demanding change that needs an educative cohesion and the involvement of adults. When these conditions are present, this process works efficiently.

If we consider the growing worries of adults about minor violence and abuse, we are tempted to find out quick answers, skipping questions that deal with educational politics or politics related to the rights and equal opportunities of under aged people. Today with the cooperation of various local institutions, we need to reinforce projects that aim to acquire / develop skills about the correct involvement of emotion and affection, to promote cooperative relationships among teenagers and to learn how to face problems. We are sure this is the correct way to solve this problem because other options do not work properly.

don Milani