NCJ Number
226687
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: January-March 2009 Pages: 2-17
Date Published
January 2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study reported preliminary findings of a national survey on student violence against teachers in Taiwanese schools.
Abstract
Results indicate that the most common type of aggression against teachers is opposition in order to cause psychological harm. Some students reported cursing, or verbal insults and teasing, mocking, or playing harmful tricks on teachers. Beating, kicking, using instruments to physically hurt, threatening, humiliating, and blackmailing were the least common forms of violence demonstrated against teachers. These findings suggest that students tend to be involved in more nonphysical than physical violence toward teachers. In addition, this study showed that most perpetrators were involved in violence against teachers because they perceived unfair treatment from teachers, teachers’ unreasonable requirements or requests, and differing opinions from the teachers. Some perpetrators reported that they took aggressive acts toward teachers because they were punished or provoked by them. Findings suggest that the majority of student violence against teachers tends to be impulsive or emotional reactions to some perceived provocation. Taiwanese male students were more likely than females to perpetrate violence against teachers; however, both boys and girls reported low and similar rates of perpetration in physical violence and threats. Boys reported higher rates of cursing or insulting, teasing or mocking, and opposition than girls. These findings suggest that boys and girls are more similar in physical violence and threats than other forms of violence. Differences in prevalence of student violence against teachers are detailed by grade in school. Data were collected through a survey of 14,000 Taiwanese students in elementary school through high school. Tables, figure, and references