BULLYING SOB A ÓTICA DE JOVENS QUE FREQUENTAM O ENSINO MÉDIO

Abstract

Bullying is classified as an act of aggression whose repetitive character affects physically and emotionally its victims. The aim of the present study was to verify the perception of young people regarding bullying in their daily lives. The data were obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire presented to 184 high school student. The results obtained showed that the interviewees understand what actions are characterized as bullying, however, there is a mismatch between theoretical knowledge and practical actions, since most consider the practice of bullying as a joke. The difficulty in talking with somebody about the aggressions suffered, pointed out by the interviewees, is worrisome, because it aggravates the effects of bullying and prolongs its action. The positive correlation between the degree of formal education and acts of bullying, observed here, demonstrates that formally educating the population is one of the most effective actions to mitigate cases of bullying in society. Bullying has been presented as a public health problem and, therefore, combating this aggression must be understood as a commitment of the whole society, with actions involving mainly the public power, schools, families and social entities.