Mumbai: School takes on menace of body shaming, bullying

Students attend a workshop on body-shaming at Orchids The International School

Words like shorty, kaali/kaalya, moti/mota, and so on, even if said in jest, can leave a deep psychological impact, especially on children and may even lead to body dysmorphia. And this is one of the most common tropes that bullies employ. In a bid to take on the growing menace of body shaming and bullying, Orchids The International School of schools has started conducting sessions to sensitise students on the issue and are encouraging students to accept how they look and love themselves.

The school took up the initiative to organise need-based workshops after some students approached the school counsellors sharing such ordeals that took place within and outside the school. The 35- to 40-minute workshops are being organised for students of Std VII to X every week at all of the group schools across country. According to counsellors and special educators of Orchid group of schools, many students have been coming to them sharing their feedback and seeking more guidance.

Counsellor Speak

"Bullying is a ubiquitous issue and the victims are affected negatively psychologically, emotionally, physically, socially and academically, too. This breaks them down, leads to stress and lack of confidence. Through the workshops, we shared with our students the ill-effects of body-shaming, bullying, name calling and teasing. Those facing body shaming and bullying, especially girls, even start suffering from eating disorders like anorexia. We thought this is the best way to reach out to both the groups - those who bully and those who are bullied, and address the issue effectively," said Dubaree Deka, school counsellor, Orchids International School.

Students attend the workshops on body-shaming and bullying at Orchids The International School

She added, "We have observed that students compare their features and looks. The influence of social media is another issue as students post their pictures with filters where they change their complexion and features to fit something they call ‘ideal look' or ‘ideal body'. We have been discouraging students from doing this and also from comparing their looks with others. The aim is to make them accept their body the way it is. It is good to see that students are responding well to these workshops."

"As part of these workshops, the first thing we do is to help them build self-confidence, encourage them to love and accept themselves. Next, we teach them to respect others. The message indirectly also reaches others through our students. We are making these workshops a regular affair gradually," said Rashmi Chauhan, special educator at Orchids International School.

‘Positive environment key'

Kavita Chatterjee, principal of Orchids The International School, Kurla, told mid-day that a positive environment, be it in school or at home, plays an important role in curbing the menace. "Bullying and body-shaming can make children feel hurt, sick, frightened, gloomy, self-conscious and disconcerted. Some children are attention-seekers and want to make themselves popular. They choose the wrong path to achieve their goal and that is bullying. They become insensitive and cold towards others. Children think that being angry, calling names and pushing people is a normal way to act. Some bullies and children involved in body-shaming are themselves the victims which makes them indulge in such negative acts."

According to Chatterjee, there should be such sessions for children at regular intervals as it will help students understand the gravity of the situation. "Along with the sessions, there can be a good selection of picture books and self-help books that can be recommended for the students. In addition, families matter. They should create an atmosphere of respect and inclusion at home. This makes the students feel safer. If the parents are positive, they act as ideal role models for their children and they, in turn, learn to nurture relationships with everyone around them. Values like honesty, courage, mercy, love and tolerance are as important and can be inculcated among students by the school and parents together," she said.

Parents welcome move

"Body-shaming and bullying, especially in the age of social media, have become an everyday affair. This is also very common among not just teenagers but also grown-ups. As a parent, this is a very disturbing development to witness. My elder daughter came home crying as someone in her class body-shamed her. She refused to eat the right quantity of food in the following days. My sister, who has some experience in child counselling, spoke to her and helped her come out of it and now she's doing better. Parents need to sensitise their children about the ill effects of bullying and body shaming. I am happy that the school has been conducting these sessions," said Naushin Ali, parent of a Std VIII student.

35-40 Min
Duration of the workshops