Chapter 1

Introduction

Bullying is now a widespread phenomenon, which has received more attention over

the years. It is particularly vicious kind of aggressiveness distinguished by repeated act

against weaker victim who cannot defend themselves from other (Smith & Brain, 2000).

Bullying is frequently considered as a process where it is defined a a subtype of

aggressive behavior, where an individual or group of people are oftenly humiliates,

assaults, and/ or excludes a relatively powerless person (Salmivalli, 2010). However,

bullying is a form of aggressive behavior, but we have to remember that not all aggressive

behavior of pupils can be accepted or considered as bullying.

Bullying have different forms. Generally, bullying is categorized into direct and

indirect bullying. Direct bullying happened with physical aggressions and threats and it is

very common among boys. Girls, however, are often involved in direct bullying situations

with more verbal and relational ways of harassments (Rivers & Smith, 1994).

Thus, bullying is rapidly growing phenomenon were some researchers have proven

the negative effects of bullying on mental and physical health for victims and for those

who are bullies. Pupils who are involved tend to have: 1.) depression, lower self- esteem,

and suicidal tendency 2.) emotional and psychosomatic problems 3.) anti- social behaviors

(Llor Esteban & Perez Garia, 2012).

 As mention by other researcher that bullying can cause depression. We all know that

depression is a mental illness. It is mood disorder characterized by persistently low mood

and a feeling of sadness and loss of interest.

Since, bullying is a very serious matter and very alarming because it can cause

someone and specifically it can broke students future we have to do some preventive

measure for us to avoid depression for the students and also to lessen the school problems.

Background of the Study

Now, bullying is one of the most common problems that pupils, teachers, parents and

administrators are facing right now. The researcher and specially the Department of

Education are very determined to prevent this problem in the school, whereas the bullying

happens, has to be the one who mold and nurture the pupils and not the one who consented

them.

The Philippine Star reported more than 1700 cases of bullying in the school year of

2013- 2014 after Republic Act 10627, the Anti- Bullying Act, was passed last September 6,

2013 signed by former President Benigno Aquino III. However the Department of

Education (DepEd) said that 60% of this case was resolved. Former Secretary of

Education Armin Luistro said that violence takes many forms - peer-to-peer bullying,

gender based discrimination, physical assault, psychological punishment, public redicules,

and sexual harassments (Philippine Star, 2014).

 As the study of Baldry (2008), a survey that has been conducted showed that in every

two Filipino children, one has witnessed the violence or abuse in school. It was also

proved that many students have experienced different types of bullying, such as verbal

bullying like cat calling, making names and being made fun of. Also physical

bullying where aggressive students punch, kick, hit, push and spit those weaker students.

Objectives of the Study

This study aimed to know the Bullying Problem: Correlation Between Gender Based

Discrimination and Depression.

Specifically, the study sought to achieve the following objectives:

1. To determine the most common bullying problems experienced by the respondents in

terms of :

1.1 Emotional Bullying

1.2 Physical Bullying

1.3 Verbal Bullying

1.4 Relational Bullying

2. To identify the most common reason of beinganti-social of the students;

3. To determine the number of respondents who experienced depression because of the

bullying that they have experienced.

Significance of the Study

As this study attempted to know that depression as a result of bullying to the students,

this study would be beneficial to the following:

Pupils. Since, they are the one who are bullies and being bullied, through this study

they would be aware by the facts and information stated in this research. It could also help

them to realize that bullying is not just a kind of teasing and hurting someone physically or

emotionally, but it can also lead to addiction for the bullies and depression for those who

are being bullied.

Teachers. This study could be helpful for the teachers, since they are the one who

guide the pupils everyday. They should know and understand the solutions in solving and

confronting these kind of problems. This study could help the teachers to have an insights

about the behaviour of their pupils so that they will be prepared in preventing chaos and do

some preventive measures for them to have an effective classroom management.

Parents. This research is very important to them. They could be able to understand

the behavior of their children and become aware on their childrens actions. It will also

help them to guide and make their children feel that they are there as shoulder to lean on

everytime that they have problems in school. Also, make their children know that bullying

is wrong doing and it should not be practiced. They should play an active role in the

prevention of bullying and guide their children throughout the healing process.

Administrators. It would be helpful to them to have peace and order in school, to

lessen the school problems, and to make safe and secure for all the pupils to be able to

maintain the learning that the pupils needs.

 Future Researchers. This research could help them to understand that bullying can

lead to depression if it continuously happened. This papers could give them a change to

enhance their knowledge and skills in their study or fields of specialization. It will use

them as a reference in the study that they are doing specially if it is related to bullying.

Scope and Limitations

This descriptive research work focused on the details suggested by the title Bullying

Problem: Correlation Between Gender Based Discrimination and Depression.

This research was limited in finding out the effects of the bullying problems

experienced by the students of BEED- General Education IIIA of Southern Luzon State

University located at Lucban, Quezon. Ten (10) boys and thirty (30) girls who were use as

a respondents of this study. It is validated self- made questionnaire without time limit. This

selection was done according to purposive sampling.

The survey questionnaire was the main instrument used to obtain the needed

information. It was written in English with Tagalog subtitles for better understanding of

the respondents.
Definition of Terms

Bullying. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that

involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the

potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may

have serious, lasting problems.

Depression. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical

illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of

interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical

problems and can decrease a persons ability to function at work and at home.

Victimization. A victim is a person who suffers direct or threatened physical,

emotional or financial harm as a result of an act by someone else, which is a crime.

Gender Based Discrimination.

Bullying Problems : Correlation Between Gender Based Discrimination
and Depression

Jehan Paula O. Iporac

Bachelor of Elementary Education- General Educationn

Southern Luzon State University