31.05.2021

First international lecture has bullying as its central theme

By Lais Carvalho

The second Conference Cycle of the year was international and had the participation of José María Avilés Martínez, Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Valladolid, Spain, professor, researcher, and school advisor.

The theme of the meeting was  “Um Olhar Sensível da Escola e da Família sobre o Bullying”. José Maria began by emphasizing the importance of bullying prevention, making it possible to obtain important information to deal with the topic.

Harassment,  strongly linked to bullying, is not strictly a school matter. It can happen at work, in the family, in society, and that is why it is so important to invest in the moral support of children and adolescents. Strengthen them to face situations in which they may be bullied, and at the same time offer an education based on solid and respectful values so that they do not become the harasser themselves.

As parents and educators, it is essential to understand, value, and respect diversity. It invests in relationships and avoids permissiveness by asserting authority methods against violence and in favor of words and examples. Another crucial point is to be conscious and preserve children and adolescents from an adulting that is not immediate for them and work with a values system concerning hope, positivism, respect for others, and differences.

José María also highlighted that it is essential to evaluate how authority is exercised within the family and that it is important to maintain balanced relationships and treat children as people who are part of a society, with rights and duties. Above all, the exercise of authority must be firm, maintaining positive emotional charges in relationships and offering models to be followed.

According to Avilés, families, and schools that approach and discuss coexistence, applying good conflict resolution strategies, create an environment in which children and adolescents feel safe and where everyone feels they belong. It results in a society with more justice, solidarity, non-conformism, and better from a moral perspective.