KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18, 2025: Every time I read about another case of school violence — whether it’s bullying, sexual assault, or the recent fatal stabbing — I find myself asking the same question: where are the parents?
I know how much weight that question carries. Parents are the first teachers. It’s at home where children first learn respect, empathy, and boundaries. When young people cross dangerous lines in school, it feels like a reflection of what they did or didn’t absorb at home.
But I also believe the truth isn’t that simple. Parents do hold responsibility, yes — but they don’t carry it alone. Schools play a role when supervision is weak or when red flags go unnoticed.
Society shapes behaviour too: the violent content on social media, the way peers glorify aggression, and the silence around issues like consent and boundaries. These things seep into young minds in ways parents can’t always control.
What I see is a circle of responsibility. Families, schools, and society are all part of it. Parents can’t expect teachers to fix everything. Teachers can’t discipline without support from families. And society can’t keep pointing fingers while ignoring systemic failures — from inadequate counselling in schools to the culture of covering up misconduct.
So are parents at fault? Partly, yes. But not entirely. Maybe the better question is: how do we share responsibility so our children feel safe — not just in classrooms, but in life?
Because in the end, violence in schools isn’t just about the kids who commit it. It’s about the adults — parents, teachers, leaders — who either show them a better way or let them stumble in the dark.
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