Understanding bullying relationally
In this article, bullying in South African schools is conceptualised regarding both the phenomenon and the leadership style using a relational framework. An instrumental case study nested in social constructivism was applied. I employed semi-structured interviews, including some open-ended questionn...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Education Association of South Africa
2018-10-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Education |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/view/1586/793 |
| _version_ | 1797384324754964480 |
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| author | Brigitte Smit |
| author_facet | Brigitte Smit |
| author_sort | Brigitte Smit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this article, bullying in South African schools is conceptualised regarding both the phenomenon and the leadership style using a relational framework. An instrumental case study nested in social constructivism was applied. I employed semi-structured interviews, including some open-ended questionnaires, based on the same interview questions. Research participants were sampled purposively, after selecting a few schools that were part of a larger research project investigating bullying with the aim of countering this problem. To this end, I sourced data from 12 principals in these schools to inquire into their leadership style, and the possible ways in which a relational stance might assist in combatting this social and educational dilemma in schools. Empirical data revealed that in many cases where the school principals honed values such as care and relational attributes in their daily leadership practices, learners were more likely to respond to the relational and caring practices that they witnessed and experienced. A relational leadership style could assist in countering bullying, setting caring and supportive examples for both teachers and learners, adding much worth to a favourable educational landscape. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T21:33:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0ed7889c199542179f47a70b71d5b142 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0256-0100 2076-3433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T21:33:48Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | Education Association of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-0ed7889c199542179f47a70b71d5b1422023-12-21T03:54:22ZengEducation Association of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Education0256-01002076-34332018-10-0138Suppl. 1S1S810.15700/saje.v38ns1a1586Understanding bullying relationallyBrigitte Smit0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0145-9652Department of Educational Leadership and Management, College of Education, University of South Africa, South AfricaIn this article, bullying in South African schools is conceptualised regarding both the phenomenon and the leadership style using a relational framework. An instrumental case study nested in social constructivism was applied. I employed semi-structured interviews, including some open-ended questionnaires, based on the same interview questions. Research participants were sampled purposively, after selecting a few schools that were part of a larger research project investigating bullying with the aim of countering this problem. To this end, I sourced data from 12 principals in these schools to inquire into their leadership style, and the possible ways in which a relational stance might assist in combatting this social and educational dilemma in schools. Empirical data revealed that in many cases where the school principals honed values such as care and relational attributes in their daily leadership practices, learners were more likely to respond to the relational and caring practices that they witnessed and experienced. A relational leadership style could assist in countering bullying, setting caring and supportive examples for both teachers and learners, adding much worth to a favourable educational landscape.http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/view/1586/793bullyingeducational leadershipethics of careinstrumental case studyrelational leadership |
| spellingShingle | Brigitte Smit Understanding bullying relationally South African Journal of Education bullying educational leadership ethics of care instrumental case study relational leadership |
| title | Understanding bullying relationally |
| title_full | Understanding bullying relationally |
| title_fullStr | Understanding bullying relationally |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding bullying relationally |
| title_short | Understanding bullying relationally |
| title_sort | understanding bullying relationally |
| topic | bullying educational leadership ethics of care instrumental case study relational leadership |
| url | http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/view/1586/793 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT brigittesmit understandingbullyingrelationally |