The wounded image and the reconnaissance's drama: Qualitative study of the determining factors of change of in school violence in Chile

Abstract

Results of a qualitative research on school violence carried out in Chile are presented. Particularly, this paper presents the results regarding the determining factors of change in school violence according to the perception of aggressive secondary students, that is, what favors that some students quit being aggressors within the school context. Most of the elements identified by the students seem to correspond to findings of empirical research on the subject, and point out to concrete dimensions which could show some pathways for intervention and prevention of school violence. It is about this last issue that the findings about the determinants of change are particularly relevant. Participants argue that they stop being violent when they "mature". The analysis shows that this apparently "natural" process and an outcome of its development, is really a modification of the relationship with time, of the emergence of a personal future project, which depends on a modification of the perceptions of the array of peer relationships. This modification leads to a decrease need of recognition of the self image, which finally leads to the loss of legitimacy of violence and aggression as a resource.