Have you ever wondered if parents have a role in addressing bullying in schools? People always think it is teachers’ sole responsibility to handle cases of bullying in schools or help the victims. But that is not always the case; parents have a huge role in ensuring their children thrive in a conducive learning environment free from harm and any kind of bullying. In this article, we have outlined the role of fathers in addressing bullying in schools.
As a father who cares about your children’s academic welfare, you should lay out specific guidelines, homework policies, and daily schedules to track their progress. But how can you address bullying and other activities that may affect their performance in school? What steps should you take to stop bullying or prevent your child from being bullied? Here are several techniques to help you intervene in case of bullying in school:
-
Be actively involved in your child’s life
As a parent, you should be actively involved in your child’s school life. That entails spending time with your young one and discussing issues affecting them in school. If you are already participating in their school life by offering emotional and financial support and helping them access marketing assignment help and other academic resources, great! But you need to go the extra mile and avail yourself when they need a listening ear. For instance, if your child informs you about bullying incidents in their school, you should hear them out and offer advice.
If your child is a victim of bullying or has received several threats from a bully, have them explain what transpired, when and where, and visit their school to address the problem. This step will be helpful, especially when you’re dealing with teachers who may want to protect the school’s reputation by claiming the issue is nonexistent.
-
Engage the classroom teachers
The sooner you engage your child’s teachers, the better. Some parents may decide to call their children’s class teachers and discuss bullying incidents over the phone. While the approach can create awareness about the problem, it is more appropriate to visit the school and discuss it face-to-face.
If bullying incidents are common or rampant in the classroom, you should discuss this with your child’s teachers and enquire whether they have witnessed any weird behaviors among students. You should also ask if they have taken any steps to address bullying, what the school rules and regulations or policies say about such cases, and the way forward. It is crucial to take note of the next steps of action and your role or responsibility as a parent to resolve the issue or prevent bullying from escalating.
-
Seek further help and guidance from the school administration
Sometimes, your child’s teachers may not offer the necessary help or satisfactory results. If you find them ineffective or less helpful, you can discuss your concerns with the school administration. During your meeting, explain the order of events, the steps you have taken, and what the school should/intends to do. To attain satisfactory outcomes, you should follow up with the administrators to understand the steps taken and your child’s progress if he/she was a victim of bullying.
If bullying escalates or the school doesn’t take necessary actions to address your concerns, you should report it to the local administration immediately. Seeking legal action and advice is also crucial if your child has been harmed. While it is not advisable to report bullying to the media, it is an excellent way to address bullying in schools, especially if there are many unreported or resolved cases and the relevant authority is reluctant to address your concerns. However, this option requires solidarity and commitment from other parents.
Final Thoughts
Being bullied in school without getting parental help can have adverse effects on a child’s personality, development, mental health, and functioning. That’s why parents must be committed to caring for their children’s welfare and monitoring their progress to identify any signs of being bullied. In addition, as a father, you should discourage your children from bullying others by reminding them to have self-respect and always do what is right. In addition, always remember to teach your child the importance of respecting others and being tolerant.
