Deeper issues
School communities can be positive spaces where students learn about who they are and their value and worth in relation to others.
Until we understand the social, cultural and historical dynamics – the deeper issues – that make us see unequal, unfair relationships as normal, we will not reach the deeper issues and we cannot hope for more just societies or safer schools.
Who wins/who loses?
We can all be discriminated against for our socioeconomic status, cultural and linguistic diversity, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, ability or personal characteristics, among other factors.
Some individuals and groups lose more than others. Educational disadvantage can be compounded when a student is disadvantaged or discriminated against in more than one way.
Members of the dominant cultures may look on bullying incidents such as these as minor, but this is discrimination and it comes from beliefs held in wider society. These beliefs disempower and isolate individuals and groups and damage the social harmony of diverse and multicultural Australia.
It is in everyone's – and every group's – interest to understand the deeper issues.
We are all likely to take inequity for granted. We may tend to accept that there are no girls on the football field, or that Aboriginal students quit school in the middle of the year, or that the boy in the wheelchair is better off sitting outside the principal's office every lunchtime because at least he won't be bullied there.
Everyone loses when unequal power or status is taken for granted. For example, boys convinced that aggressive behaviour demonstrates masculinity are robbed of the relationships skills needed for happiness in adulthood.
Why should school communities know about deeper issues?
Schools are responsible for all their students, but how can all students be safe, respected and included if the status and citizenship of some count for less than others?
Bullying, harassment and discrimination are still part of our social practice. They can represent distrust, fear, misunderstanding, lack of knowledge or jealousy – all factors that schools can address in positive and active ways.
School communities need to work together to recognise, challenge and change inequalities that fuel bullying and harassment within the school – and to build trust and respect between all groups. By doing this, we are better placed to meet the needs of all students and contribute to a socially just environment.
Use the information in Deeper issues to engage and empower all students to pursue justice for themselves and others.
- Socioeconomic status
- Cultural and linguistic diversity
- Religious diversity
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Disability
- Ability
- Personal characteristics
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