ERIC Number: EJ1469317
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0264-3944
EISSN: EISSN-1468-0122
Available Date: 0000-00-00
The Application of a Foucauldian Approach to Analyse School Bullying: A Critique
Pastoral Care in Education, v43 n1 p88-106 2025
Bullying remains a serious problem in schools in England and internationally despite the plethora of research, interventions and policies which aim to address it. The majority of research and interventions are based on a traditional approach where school bullying is constructed as involving a clear imbalance of power between individuals. Recently, there has been an increase in researchers using a Foucauldian approach where power is not held by individuals but operates through institutional and social norms which influence thoughts and behaviour and can contribute to bullying. Most of this research has focused on how the school culture contributes to bullying. This article initiates a critical discussion about the extent to which Foucault's work can be applied to understand and tackle school bullying which previous research has not fully examined. The practical issues discussed include punishment and conflict between pupils and between pupils and teachers. Strategies include schools de-centralising decision-making centres for pupils to exercise their voice and pupils being enabled to transform themselves. Foucault has been criticised for not providing clear guidance on how to resist power and focuses primarily on resistance at the individual rather than collective level. However, he provides implications for how individuals can resist power through their relations with others within an institution which many feel dominated. It is concluded that a Foucauldian approach is more nuanced, reflective and flexible than the traditional approach which can consider the influence of inequalities. Further research is needed to develop practical strategies for schools from Foucault's work.
Descriptors: Bullying, Social Influences, Intervention, Student Behavior, Power Structure, Resistance (Psychology), Foreign Countries, Discipline, Punishment, Peer Relationship, Participative Decision Making, Student Participation, Student Empowerment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Children, Young People and Families; Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, West Yorkshire