Coexistence and violence in primary school: perception of students and their families

Abstract

The family plays a basic and essential role in the children’s optimal development, although it is a well-known fact that schools also influence this process greatly. Behind the implications that the coexistence at school may have for children beyond academia underlies the relevance and concern of parents about the school climate during coexistence; for otherwise, it may lead to violent situations with several negative consequences for students. For these reasons, this research aims to know the perception of the Primary School students of witnessed or suffered violent behaviors, the type of actions carried out in both cases, and also the point of view of their families about this issue. To this end, 200 students (52% girls and 48% boys) studying 4º , 5º , and 6º grade of Primary School and 92 parents (73.9% mothers and 26.1% fathers) took part in this study. Overall results are generally positive, given that both witnessing and suffering these violent experiences or the passivity in the face of violence are low among students, and families rely on the school and teachers to manage these situations. Nevertheless, it must be highlighted that there is still a proportion of the population, albeit reduced, that makes a more negative assessment. Regarding this issue, the positive parenting programs and those focused on enhancing family school communication may be potential, useful tools.

Keywords

• acoso escolar
• convivencia
• educación primaria
• familias