Effect of Domestic Violence on the Performance of Students in the Morning Session of the Middle School Level at Francisco Henríquez y Carvajal High School, Educational District 16-01, School Year 2005-2006

Abstract

It was a matter of concern for the authors of this study to learn that the Francisco Henríquez y Carvajal Lyceum, in its morning shift, finds itself trapped and unable to respond to the domestic violence experienced today by secondary-level students. This situation also worries teachers and leads them to adopt negative attitudes toward student behavior, since such behavior hinders the school's activities, causes indiscipline, and disrupts adherence to the schedule. The methodology used in the research was descriptive and exploratory; the population participating in the study consisted of the director, the guidance counselor, 33 teachers, and 326 students, using the sample proportion table. The technique used in the study was a census for the director, guidance counselor, and teachers, and simple random sampling for the students. The instrument used in the research was a questionnaire. The results of the research show that teachers always display appropriate conduct and have the capacity to resolve any problem arising from acts of violence among students; that domestic violence sometimes affects the school; that violent acts tend to distract students; and that the actors in the process—teachers, the director, and the guidance counselor—demonstrate respect, motivation, communication, and mastery in addressing behavioral problems that arise at the school. In concluding the research, the authors make the following recommendations: that the school facilities be expanded so students do not have to travel elsewhere for classes; that a library be installed to serve students and allow them to find the information they need during school hours; that teaching staff (teachers, director, and guidance counselor) hold talks with students' parents to guide them regarding their children's behavioral problems; that constant supervision be maintained at the school; that follow-up be given to students displaying inappropriate behavior; and that the guidance counselor conduct workshops with students on the use of good manners.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.