Patterns and Prevention of Violence among Female Secondary School Students in Thailand

Abstract

This qualitative research studied the patterns, causes, and conditions of the violence witnessed among female secondary school students in Bangkok, Thailand.  Further to this, guidelines have been produced to prevent/solve violence among this demographic. Data was collected through in-depth interviews conducted with: (1) 21 female secondary school students, 1-3 of whom had been involved in violence; (2) 10 teachers with at least 5 years of experience in teaching and solving violence in the female secondary school context; and (3) 8 policymaking experts involved in preventing violence among female secondary school students. The results of the study illustrate that violence among female secondary school students in Bangkok manifests in patterns wherein: 1) the consequences result in physical damage, injury, and mental pain and negative feelings; and 2) victims experience violence directly through social media and the destruction of their personal belongings. In response to such occurrences of violence, policymaking institutions, schools, and teachers must give efforts towards implementing operations designed to reduce and eliminate violent incidences by emphasizing: (1) the development of thinking processes, behavioral control, and emotional regulation among children and young people; (2) the reinforcement of appropriate bystander behavior and environmental contexts which encourage children and young people to physically and mentally grow and thereby assume resilience; and (3) the creation of a non-violent community while monitoring and helping children and young people to have a safe and happy family life as well as the ability to suitably adapt in social context and environment.