Lunch time horror: Kids at mercy of bullies in school cafeterias

School cafeteria is often identified as ground zero for bullying, and rightly so. With little to no adult supervision in the area during break, kids exploit the opportunity to engage in activities and exhibit behavior that would have otherwise gotten them into trouble. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of someone being ganged up by a group of students who thought it funny to tease or make hurtful remarks, or a student who regularly struggled to find a table where their presence was welcomed. Young people don’t always fully realize the impact of their actions and consequently tend to go overboard under the presumption that they’re simply having harmless fun. School cafeteria bullying can have dire and far-reaching implications for the student experiencing it, thus making it vital for the school administration and parents to intervene and do whatever they can to prevent it.

An intervention by the school administration can make a difference

Bullies thrive in unsupervised areas of the school, which makes cafeterias an ideal spot for them to attack or harass their target. The school administration needs to recognize the importance of monitoring the cafeteria during lunch breaks, as bullies are bound to lay low and remain inactive in the presence of adult supervision. Additionally, a policy of zero tolerance for bullying, irrespective of its nature, should be shown by the administration. Identified perpetrators of bullying should be confronted in private and given a firm warning. If they don’t mend their ways, the punishment or bringing parents overboard to tackle with the issue could be exercised. The victims should also be identified and approached so as to instill a sense of security in them and assure them of support. They should also be asked to give suggestions on how to stop bullying in schools.

In order to battle bullying of covert nature, the school administration should make efforts to establish a culture of respect and inclusion. This may be done through “assigned seating” in cafeterias so that students meet, eat and bond with new faces, and replace rectangular tables with circular ones so that no one feels left out of conversations during lunch. In-class emphasis on the subject of acceptance and respect may prove quite effective as well.

Parents’ role in combating the menace of lunch time bullying

Dealing with cafeteria bullying is not simply the responsibility of the school administration alone. Parents also need to play their role in making lunch time safer for both their children as well as the children of others. To do this, they need to ensure that they don’t ignore or downplay their kid’s complains about bullying. It’s important to pay attention to what the child is sharing, and then approach the school administration without delay to bring the matter to their attention. Together, the two may be able to deal with the issue more effectively. It’s also imperative for parents to instill empathy, tolerance and acceptance in kids, and talk to them about the moral and social aspects of bullying. Educating children on the matter may help them to understand the impact of their actions better and encourage them to abstain from and report such behavior.

Considering the dire implications of bullying, schools and parents need to confront the problem assertively and play an active role in cutting it off from the roots. It must also be understood that by joining forces and bringing students onboard, instances of bullying can be brought down drastically.

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