NCJ Number
152011
Journal
EuroCriminology Volume: 7 Dated: (1994) Pages: 53-64
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article examines the extent and nature of violence among students in schools, notably in Switzerland, and suggests ways in which schools can act to mitigate and prevent such violence.
Abstract
Following a general discussion of the dynamics of aggressive and violent behavior, the author summarizes the profile of an in- school victim of violence as determined by a Norwegian study. Such victims tend to be more anxious and more insecure than the average pupil. A smaller group of victims are provocative, as they manifest a mixture of anxious and aggressive reactions. Perpetrators are characterized as impulsive, dominating, self- centered, and insensitive to the feelings of others. They also tend to be physically stronger than their victims. Some suggestions for ways to counter violent student interactions include teacher mediation and instruction in constructive relations among students, closer teacher monitoring of student activities during recess, teacher conferences with parents of student victims and offenders, and teacher praise and rewards for pupils who reform their aggressive behaviors. A 6-item bibliography