Missing Voices: Fourth through Eighth Grade Urban Students' Perceptions of Bullying

Victimising of school bullying: a grounded theory

“…Our findings also correspond with studies investigating students' perspectives showing that a widespread idea among children and adolescents is that bullying occurs because the victim is different, deviant, odd or does not fit in (e.g. Frisén, Holmqvist, and Oscarsson 2008;Frisén, Jonsson, and Persson 2007;Hamarus and Kaikkonen 2008;Hazler and Hoover 1993;Mooij 2011;Thornberg 2010;Thornberg and Knutsen 2011;Varjas et al 2008), and with DeRosier and Mercer's (2009) findings showing a correlation between perceived atypical behaviour and peer victimisation. In reference to the labelling theory (Becker 1963), the stigma theory (Goffman 1963;Jones et al 1984) and the social misfit hypothesis (Wright, Giammarino, and Parad 1986), the informants became embroiled in a social process that constructed them as a 'deviant' or 'different' peer, which in turn stigmatised them, escalating into social excluding and more harassment.…”

“…Frisén, Holmqvist, and Oscarsson 2008;Frisén, Jonsson, and Persson 2007;Hamarus and Kaikkonen 2008;Hazler and Hoover 1993;Mooij 2011;Thornberg 2010;Thornberg and Knutsen 2011;Varjas et al 2008). The victim is regarded as a person who does not fit in.…”

Schoolchildren's social representations on bullying causes

“…Previous research indicates that schoolchildren tend to attribute causes of bullying to the victim by interpreting him or her as deviant or different (e.g., different appearance, behavior, clothes, or way of speaking) (Bosacki et al, 2006;Buchanan & Winzer, 2001;Frisén, Holmqvist, & Oscarsson, 2008;Hamarus & Kaikkonen, 2008;Hazler & Hoover, 1993;Hoover, Oliver, & Hazler, 1992;Teräsahjo & Salmivalli, 2003;Varjas et al, 2008). A recent study has shown that peer-perceived atypical behavior of a child is in fact related to higher levels of social rejection and peer victimization among schoolchildren (DeRoiser & Mercer, 2009).…”

Teenagers’ Explanations of Bullying

“…Previous research indicates that students tend to attribute the causes of bullying to the victim by interpreting him or her as deviant or different (Bosacki et al 2006;Buchanan and Winzer 2001;Erling and Hwang 2004;Frisén et al 2007Frisén et al , 2008Hamarus and Kaikkonen 2008;Hazler and Hoover 1993;Hoover et al 1992;Teräsahjo and Salmivalli 2003;Thornberg 2010b;Varjas et al 2008). Furthermore, boys seem to blame the victim more than girls in hypothetical bullying situations (Gini 2008), and in self-reports regarding bullying experiences (Hara 2002).…”

“…In Frise n et al (200 ), in response to the uestion, '' hy do some children and adolescents bully others'', 28% of the students reasoned that the bully had low self-esteem, 26% suggested that it made the bully feel ''cool'', 15% suggested that the bully had problems, 9% referred to group pressure, 5% suggested that the bully was annoyed with the victim, 4% suggested that the bully was jealous of the victim, 4% referred to lack of respect, and 4% suggested that the bully was also a victim. According to Varjas et al (2008), many students reported that bullies engaged in bullying to make themselves feel better or gain higher status. Some students also explained bullying as a way of having fun and breaking the boredom in their everyday life (Hamarus and Kaikkonen 2008).…”