Study: Migrant young people bullied in schools
Migrant children are experiencing racism and bullying and even more aggressive attitudes and actions, according to research by the Trinity Immigration Initiative. Multiple studies from the college also looked at how migrants were coping with work, integration as well as the courts.
Professor Robbie Gilligan, who looked at the experiences of children in seven primary schools in Dublin’s inner city, said he was struck by the enthusiasm of migrant students. He warned, however, of “the potential for conflict” between foreign youngsters and Irish children, particularly because they were not mixing in the same groups and incidents were occurring away from schools.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin spoke to children in 20 classrooms about their experiences. Migrant children were facing tough conditions while living in affordable homes in marginalised areas, the study found. Foreign youngsters could remain alienated into adulthood because of bullying and racism, Prof Gilligan warned.
Up to 169 immigrants aged 15 to 71 were involved in the research. One female teenager from sub-Saharan Africa told researchers how “they pick on you for anything really. If you’re smart they’ll pick on you, if you’re quiet they’ll pick on you, if you’re mad or really sound, they’ll pick on you. Just pick on her because she’s black – just have a laugh, just pick on her”.
The research also found “prejudice” against foreign young children ranging from milder forms of ethnocentrism to much more aggressive hostile actions. “Such phenomena are harmful to all those involved,” it said.
Researchers also suggested that children in need of language support were being put in the same category as those with special needs.
Some language support in schools was “appalling”, said Prof David Little.
