Aggression in school-going children

The current era is witnessing a relatively more violent world. One of the ramifications of violence is aggression. In fact, aggression seems extraordinarily prevalent in society today with marked changes in speech, acts and deeds, social interactions, relationships and public discourse. It is visibly present in adults and is also witnessed in children. Parents, teachers, television or the internet, singularly or collectively, are often held responsible, but it is a simplistic explanation to an evolving social dynamic.

Children growing up in this environment imbibe, overtly and covertly, various forms of aggressive behaviour. It is, indeed, difficult to pinpoint where the fault lies. Aggression has been a part of our inherent societal norm, as has been peace. To some extent, our folklore, literature, music and traditions have glorified both aggression and peace. Of late, however, the mass media, especially motion pictures, cartoons, computer games, and video snippets, have hyped and idolised the cult of violence, depicting a one-man war against injustice, to be accomplished primarily by acts of force and brutality.

At least, in real life, the protagonist and the antagonist are well-defined, identifiable and champions of the defenceless. But, in real life, this demarcation is not so apparent. Unfortunately, young children have neither the capability nor the maturity to understand this differentiation. They may commit aggressive acts simply as a playful act, or learned behaviour through role models, or a way to cope with stressful situations. As more and more aggressive incidents in children from schools and homes are coming to be known, it compels us to recognise that aggression is perhaps rapidly becoming a mainstay feature of urban homes.

Recently, a 5-year-old boy was referred to me for anger management. This boy had hit the head of a girl on the wall for not letting him use her pencil. The lumps on her head were large enough to warrant hospitalisation for a few days. The girl’s parents were naturally upset and threatened the school with dire consequences if this boy was not expelled. In other cases, although the hostility was not so strong, incidents of ganging against one child, harassment, beating, and hitting are frequently reported. Innumerable parents complain of their inability to control their children as the aggressive influences acting on their child’s behaviour are many and fewer outlets for them to work away their energies.

What is aggression?

Psychologists define aggression as angry, hostile behaviour that is intended to hurt or upset others. The emphasis is on the words “intention” and “hurt”.

In other words, it is a deliberate intention to hurt. Boys are more often aggressive than girls. However, in the normal course of development, nearly every child displays aggressive behaviour to some extent. It is a common phenomenon amongst pre-nursery and nursery school children, declines during the early school years, becomes prominent again during adolescent years and gradually reduces between 15 and 21-year-olds. However, aberrations to this growth cycle are always present.

Can we categorise aggression?

Yes, we can classify aggressive acts. Aggression can be either physical or verbal.

Physical aggression can be gauged by behaviours like biting, hitting, shoving, scratching, kicking or snatching objects from other children. Verbal aggression is seen in the use of abusive language. Amongst school children, aggression can be related to games (aggression related to the rough and tumble play predominantly amongst boys), harassment (teasing, threatening and physical violence) and specific hostility (assertion and aggression related to wanting to achieve certain goals like teachers’ attention).

Can we identify the causes of aggression?

Innumerable research has been conducted to identify the causes of aggressive behaviour. Despite the voluminous literature, no theory has yet been able to fully explain the cause of aggressive behaviour. Some of the known factors that have a bearing on aggressive behaviour are described below.

• Genetic theory: This theory says that aggressive behaviour is inborn, instinctual and an inevitable part of human behaviour.
• Social theories: It believe that large, very poor or very rich families have children who are more violent. Also, children who witness domestic violence, have repeated separation from parents and are brought up in a non-cordial environment are more violent.
• Psychological theories: These theories consider aggressive behaviour as a result of frustration. Behaviourists say that it is learned behaviour, and the models are parents, siblings, teachers, neighbours, significant persons and mass media icons.

Can aggression be controlled/reduced in children?

Yes, aggression can be reduced/controlled in children if the treatment starts early, especially for certain known disorders like temper tantrums. However, if the parents and the teachers work in coordination and adopt certain techniques, aggression can be controlled at home and the school level without a professional being involved. Although there is no fool-proof method, some strategies that have been effective with aggressive children are described below. Parents and teachers know that each child differs, and what works with one child may not work with the other. Hence, one needs to adapt and cater to an individual child’s needs.

Avoid:

• Situations that increase frustration
• Difficult situations that reduce the self-esteem and confidence of the child
• Social situations that make the child feel uncomfortable
• Comparisons that undermine the child’s capabilities.

Punish:

• Minimally. Especially, physical punishment should be used sparingly.
• Do not use harsh, punitive words or language.
• Provide the reason for the punishment.
• By using the “Think Chair”, i.e. give the child time to think about the aggressive behaviour and reason out whether there could have been a better way to have dealt with the situation.
• By being consistent in discipline.

Do:

• Lavishly praise every good behaviour.
• Model behaviour that you want to see in the child.
• Help the child to verbalise anger instead of using his hands and feet to express his anger.
• Provide positive alternatives to anger by engaging the child in play or creative activities, art and craft, imaginative storytelling and so on.
• Use humour and not sarcasm to tide over angry, hostile feelings.
• Talk to the child after the angry feelings have subsided.
• Show affection to make the child feel wanted despite being angry.

Do Not:

• Expose aggression on television and other mass media.
• Quarrel or use abusive language in front of children
• Lose control when dealing with a difficult situation
• Adopt either too permissive or authoritarian parenting styles. Mix of both styles lead to poor social outcomes in children.

If everything fails in reducing aggression, see a mental health professional.

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