Violence among students is a form of conflict that is growing at an alarming rate in our schools, day by day, sometimes even hour by hour. It has become a widespread phenomenon and a serious problem that affects not only the students directly involved, but also those who are not, as well as the teachers working with these students.
The impact of this violence is profound: it negatively affects students’ safety, academic performance, and emotional well-being, as well as the emotional balance of teachers who interact with them.
In a society increasingly marked by aggression, it is only natural that the school, as part of this society, is also significantly affected. Students are increasingly exposed to various forms of violence: at home, on the streets, on television, on social media, in video games, and other online platforms.
The most common form of violence encountered in schools is verbal violence: arguments, insults, threats, name-calling. It has been observed that students who spend a lot of time on electronic devices—playing games, watching TikTok, etc.—tend to be more irritable, imitate what they see, are more nervous, agitated, inattentive, and often get into conflicts without a clear reason.
Violence can take many forms—physical, verbal, psychological, and cyber—and can have serious long-term consequences if solutions are not sought.
Possible Causes of School Violence
Family factors:
- Lack of supervision or emotional support from parents
- Domestic conflicts or violence in the home
- Negative behavioral models provided by adults
Individual factors:
- Undiagnosed emotional or psychological problems
- Lack of skills for managing anger or stress
- A need to attract attention or assert dominance
School environment:
- Lack of clear discipline and consistent rules
- Lack of teacher involvement in preventing and managing conflicts
- Overcrowded classrooms and lack of specialized staff (school counselors, psychologists)
Social and cultural influences:
- Uncontrolled access to violent content in the media or online
- Peer pressure and the desire to be accepted
- Cultural norms that tolerate aggression as a form of power
Possible Solutions to Combat Violence
Education and prevention:
- Emotional education programs
- Personal development activities
- Inclusion and diversity-focused programs
- Awareness campaigns about the effects of bullying
- Promoting mutual respect and nonviolent communication
Family involvement:
- Strong collaboration between school and family
- Parental counseling on effective communication with their children
The role of teachers:
- Training teachers to identify and manage conflicts
- Creating a positive classroom climate and encouraging open dialogue
- Establishing clear school regulations and acting promptly
- Applying educational—not just punitive—sanctions
In conclusion, school violence requires a joint effort from all parties involved: the school, the community, the family, and society as a whole. Prevention, education, and timely intervention are the key to creating a safe and healthy school environment.
Addressing school violence effectively requires recognizing it as a multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be resolved through isolated interventions or quick fixes. The interconnected nature of the causes you’ve outlined—spanning family dynamics, individual psychological factors, school environment deficiencies, and broader social influences—demands an equally comprehensive and coordinated response. This means moving beyond reactive disciplinary measures toward proactive, evidence-based strategies that address root causes while simultaneously building protective factors within the school ecosystem. The most successful approaches integrate emotional learning curricula with systematic teacher training, robust family engagement programs, and consistent policy implementation, all underpinned by adequate resources including specialized mental health professionals who can provide both preventive and intervention services.
The path forward necessitates a fundamental shift in how educational communities conceptualize and respond to student conflict and aggression. Rather than viewing violence as an inevitable byproduct of contemporary society, schools must position themselves as active agents of change, capable of creating environments that not only discourage violent behavior but actively cultivate emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, and prosocial relationships. This transformation requires sustained commitment from educational leaders, ongoing professional development for staff, meaningful partnerships with families and community organizations, and policy frameworks that prioritize prevention alongside accountability. When implemented with fidelity and supported by adequate resources, these comprehensive approaches have demonstrated significant potential to reduce incidents of school violence while simultaneously improving overall school climate, academic outcomes, and student well-being—creating the safe, nurturing learning environments that all students deserve.