News
Bullying: Dysfunctional Homes, Domestic Violence Are Factors — Psychologist
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Following the viral videos of bullying incidents at an Abuja rich kids’ school and the attendant outrage on social media, PATIENCE IVIE IHEJIRIKA speaks to an expert about causes and red flags of the menace.
A psychiatrist/psychologist with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Charles Umeh, has said that bullying, especially among children, is common with kids who are subjected to domestic violence or are witnessing domestic violence in their homes.
He also said that some children, by nature of the kind of environment they grow up in, tend to be violence-oriented.
According to him, such children tend to drive their self esteem by overpowering others, saying this is one of the reasons they want to attach themselves to other persons, maybe trying to hang out with others in cultism and other boys’ groups.
Dr. Umeh, however, identified another aspect as personality disorder in children, saying; “The only thing we can look at is probably disorder in children which might metamorphoses into antisocial personality.
“Now these are people that by nature of their psychological makeup don’t want to be authority figures and they take delight in seeing others suffer and to them, its fun, so that is why we call it a personality disorder and they are very manipulative at the same time,” he explained.
Explaining further, the psychologist said: “When you talk about bullying, especially among the young ones, it is common among those ones who have witnessed their fathers beating their mothers or those ones that are subjected to domestic violence and because children learn vicariously, they always think that they can always get the things they need by getting on top of others.
“When you look at bullying in primary schools and secondary schools you may begin to ask yourself, do they follow the same pattern? In primary schools, you could see that the reason could be from watching what happens at home, dysfunctional homes, domestic violence.
“It could also be the kind of upbringing they have. Now when the upbringing is such that children are allowed to do whatever they want to do, and you know most young children want to avoid anything that is stressful, so in an attempt to do that, they end up not obeying rules, not knowing the standard that is expected of them outside, so they are kind of susceptible to group behaviour or group activities so that they will belong.
“So you can see that there are so many contexts, depending on how you are looking at it. And whatever it is, bullying has negative emotional consequences to the victims.”
On how to know if a child is being bullied, Dr Umeh said when you see that a child that is doing well, suddenly his or her morale begins to drop, and some of the skills the child has acquired before, he or she begins to drop them, or even becomes very nervous, and beginning to withdraw, it is possible that the child is being bullied.
Leadership
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the House of Representatives is set to lead a historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024, in a bold effort to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
The march, which begins at 8:00 AM, will see over 1,000 participants, including lawmakers and members of the public walk from the National Assembly to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. The event will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action against GBV and greater protection for vulnerable groups.
Speaking about the initiative, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD., GCON, said, “This march and the activities that follow are not mere gestures but a reflection of our determination to confront gender-based violence head-on. We are committed to building a society where justice, equality, and safety prevail for all Nigerians.”
In a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi on Saturday in Abuja, he said, “The 10th House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to systemic reforms, collaboration, and accountability in the fight against gender-based violence.
“In addition to the march, the House has outlined key activities in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023–2027) to sustain awareness and action throughout the campaign period.
“Sash Demonstration Ceremony – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
“Convergence of State Assembly Speakers – Monday, December 9, 2024. A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative measures for combating GBV nationwide.
“National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 – Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The summit will focus on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives led by the House of Representatives”.
Naijablitznews.com reports that this year’s 16 Days of Activism aims to galvanise nationwide efforts and inspire collective action to protect human rights, ensure justice, and create a safer, more equitable Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).
President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.
The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.
He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.
The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.
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