Prevention of Bullying and Stopping Abuse: An Interview with an Irish Professor on Why to Put Down the Phone and Listen to Children
The article discusses an interview with Professor Lundy about the importance of listening to children to prevent bullying and abuse.
In an insightful interview with Professor Lundy, the article explores the fundamental needs of children for expressing their opinions and the barriers adults face in giving them a voice. Lundy emphasizes that merely allowing children to speak is insufficient; it is crucial to create a safe environment where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. This involves not just verbal communication but also understanding how children prefer to express themselves, which may vary greatly from traditional forms of speech.
Lundy argues that listening to children more attentively can significantly contribute to preventing abuse and creating a more inclusive democracy in schools. She highlights the idea that "school democracy" should strive to be more inclusive than adult versions and critiques how it often replicates failures of adult governance. The professor makes a strong case that giving children space, an audience, and influence is vital for their development and for fostering a sense of responsibility and agency in the next generation.
The article posits that to effectively empower children, we need to move beyond superficial measures and analyze how children's voices can genuinely impact decision-making processes. Lundy's insights challenge existing norms about adult-child interactions and call for a transformative approach in educational settings, where children's perspectives are actively sought and valued, leading to a more robust and democratic school environment.