Vršnjačko nasilje kao oblik socijalne destrukcije
Peer Violence as a Form of Social Destruction

Summary/Abstract: Every act of violence carries a certain destructive "potential" which effect depends, both on the form of its manifestation as well as on the "sensitivity of the target" to which it is directed. Such acts represent various forms of social destruction where, surely, peer violence has a special place. This "uniqueness" is reflected in the sensitivity of the population that is a participant in this form of violence. It is, most often, the school population, young people who are in the most important period of their physical, emotional, intellectual, and cultural development. Therefore, peer violence can have a decisive impact on their overall development, regardless of whether they participate as perpetrators or are victims of such violence. The aim of this paper is to point out the problem of peer violence, the difficulty of identifying various forms as well as the seriousness of the consequences that peer violence can have on both the victim and the perpetrator. By analyzing various contents, which subject is research on peer violence, using the methods of induction and deduction, the author seeks to identify those elements of peer violence that, with an adequate social reaction, would have a decisive influence on reducing its destructive character. The paper emphasizes the necessity of terminological delimitation of certain terms that are used as synonyms for defining violence. It points out the phenomenon of peer violence, its types and the risk factors that determine it. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of society in preventing peer violence, and the necessity for various mechanisms to recognize it and prevent its negative effects. It is especially pointed out that the determination of the society to face peer violence is a fundamental prerequisite for its suppression.

• Details
• Contents