Introduction
School bullying in Mexico is a growing concern, with significant financial and emotional costs. According to UNESCO, 32% of students aged 9-17 are victims of bullying, but the actual number could exceed 60% if unreported cases are included. The issue is not only prevalent but also escalating, causing damage to students’ emotional and social well-being.
The Extent of the Problem
Óscar David Hernández Carranza, president of the Protocol Antibullying Consejo Directivo, highlights that UNESCO reports 32% of Mexican students as bullying victims. However, considering unreported cases, the number could surpass 60%. This issue is not minor or temporary; it’s consistently increasing, causing emotional and social harm to students.
Consequences of Bullying
Bullying leads to long-term emotional and social consequences. Victims suffer not only during the act but also experience anxiety, isolation, and poor academic performance over weeks, months, or years. In severe cases, physical, psychological, and emotional damage can last for extended periods.
Online Bullying on the Rise
Hernández Carranza points out a significant increase in online bullying. In Mexico, 60% of adolescents have experienced online harassment through email or text messages, among other means.
Contributing Factors
Lack of boundaries for young people and insufficient handling of bullying by teachers and school authorities contribute to the problem. Parents often delegate educational responsibilities to schools, neglecting daily routines like homework, meals, sleep, playtime, and social interactions.
Lack of Awareness and Resources
Many educational institutions seem unaware of how to address bullying issues. The Secretaría de Educación Pública has distributed the “Todas y todos contra el acoso escolar” guide to teachers, outlining prevention, organization, and case detection measures.
The Link Between Bullying and Community Violence
Hernández Carranza emphasizes the relationship between school bullying and community violence, which has increased in various regions of Mexico and globally. Studies show that young perpetrators of bullying often experience violence themselves, either in school, on the streets, or at home.
Costs of Bullying
An Australian study estimated the annual cost of bullying at 763 million Australian dollars, distributed among anxiety (147 million), depression (322 million), self-harm (57 million), tobacco consumption (224 million), productivity loss (7.5 million), and various services (6 million). The average annual cost per student is 280 US dollars.
In Mexico, with approximately 30 million students from pre-school to higher secondary education, and considering UNICEF’s estimate that 28% of students experience bullying, we’re looking at around 8.4 million students. At 280 US dollars per student annually, the cost would be approximately 46,000 million pesos per year, or around 5,500 pesos per student annually.
Case Study: A Student’s Battle Against Bullying
In 2015, a second-grade primary school student’s bullying case reached Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice through direct amparo 35/2014. The student suffered psychological abuse from a Spanish teacher and classmates, exacerbating anxiety, low self-esteem, frustration, depression, and adaptation issues. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the student’s mother met with school authorities, who failed to resolve the issue. Consequently, the student stopped attending school.
A civil court in the State of Mexico ruled in favor of the school. However, the mother appealed, and the case reached the SCJN. The court ordered the school to pay 500,000 pesos in moral damages due to the severe impact on the student’s dignity, high teacher responsibility, and the school’s moderate economic capacity.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the costs of school bullying in Mexico? Based on a study from Australia, the annual cost of bullying in Mexico is estimated to be around 46,000 million pesos, or approximately 5,500 pesos per student annually.
- What are the consequences of bullying for students? Bullying can lead to long-term emotional and social harm, including anxiety, isolation, poor academic performance, and in severe cases, physical damage.
- Why is online bullying a growing concern? Online bullying has increased in Mexico, with 60% of adolescents experiencing harassment through email or text messages.
- What factors contribute to school bullying? Lack of boundaries for young people and insufficient handling of bullying by teachers and school authorities, along with parental delegation of educational responsibilities, contribute to the problem.
- What is the link between school bullying and community violence? There’s a growing relationship between school bullying and community violence, with young perpetrators often experiencing violence themselves.
