Bullying in Mexican Schools: A Growing Concern
According to UNESCO, 32% of students aged 9 to 17 in Mexico are victims of bullying, but when considering unreported cases, the number could exceed 60%. This issue, far from being minor or temporary, has been consistently increasing and generates significant costs.
Óscar David Hernández Carranza: A Key Voice on the Issue
Óscar David Hernández Carranza, president of the Protocol Anti-Bullying Board, emphasizes that UNESCO’s data indicates 32% of students are affected by bullying. However, he highlights the importance of unreported cases, suggesting that the actual number could surpass 60%.
The Scope and Consequences of Bullying
Hernández Carranza explains that bullying causes emotional and social damage, affecting victims not only during the act but also in the long term through symptoms like anxiety, isolation, and poor academic performance.
The expert stresses that the consequences of bullying can be physical, psychological, and emotional, lasting for weeks, months, or even years. He also mentions a recent surge in online bullying, with 60% of Mexican adolescents reporting experiences through email or text messages.
Contributing Factors to Bullying
Hernández Carranza identifies the lack of boundaries for young people as a significant factor in bullying. He notes that teachers and educational authorities have failed to establish these limits.
Additionally, he points out that many parents delegate their children’s education to schools, which is not their responsibility. He also mentions the disappearance of daily routines (e.g., chores, meals, sleep, playtime, and socializing) from family life as a contributing factor.
He further explains that many educational institutions lack the knowledge and strategies to address bullying effectively.
Costs Associated with Bullying in Mexico
To understand the financial impact of bullying in Mexico, consider an Australian study estimating annual costs at 763 million Australian dollars, broken down as follows: anxiety (147 million), depression (322 million), self-harm (57 million), tobacco consumption (224 million), lost productivity (7.5 million), and various services (6 million). The average annual cost per student is 280 US dollars.
With approximately 30 million students in Mexico, from pre-school to higher secondary education, and assuming UNICEF’s estimate that 28% of students experience bullying, we’re looking at around 8.4 million affected students.
At 5,500 pesos per student annually, the estimated cost of bullying in Mexico is around 46,000 million pesos per year.
Case Study: A Student’s Battle Against Bullying
In 2015, a bullying case reached Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice through direct amparo 35/2014. A second-grade student faced psychological mistreatment from his Spanish teacher and classmates, exacerbating his anxiety, low self-esteem, frustration, depression, and adaptation issues.
Upon discovering the student had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), his mother met with school authorities, who promised to address the problem. When no solution materialized, the boy stopped attending school.
A civil court in the State of Mexico issued a final ruling absolving the school. However, the mother appealed, and the case eventually reached the SCJN.
The court condemned the school to pay 500,000 pesos in moral damages due to the severe impact on the student’s dignity, the teacher’s high level of responsibility, and the school’s moderate economic capacity.
The court also emphasized the need for clearer, more specific regulations that schools—both public and private—can use to develop a comprehensive anti-bullying strategy, including:
- Preventing bullying by fostering a respectful and secure environment in schools
- Identifying latent bullying issues
- Effectively preventing violent behavior
- Supporting and guiding students and their parents or guardians for the afectado’s rehabilitation
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the annual cost of bullying in Mexico? Based on estimates, it’s around 46,000 million pesos per year.
- What are the consequences of bullying for victims? Bullying can lead to emotional and social damage, affecting students’ well-being long after the incident.
- What factors contribute to bullying in schools? Lack of boundaries for young people, insufficient parental involvement, and inadequate school strategies are key factors.
- What can be done to address bullying in Mexican schools? Clearer regulations, comprehensive anti-bullying strategies, and support for both students and parents are essential.
