Migrant and Low-Income Children Face Bullying in Finland
A recent study conducted by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre reveals that children from low-income and immigrant families are disproportionately affected by bullying. The study, part of the Social Inclusion Research Project, aimed to investigate the extent, causes, and consequences of bullying and marginalisation among fifth-grade students across Finland.
According to the findings, 46% of children with immigrant backgrounds have experienced at least one bullying incident, compared to 36% of their non-immigrant peers. Factors such as family income, cultural background, religion, skin tone, and language were found to contribute significantly to the likelihood of being bullied. Notably, children from immigrant families, regardless of wealth, face bullying similar to those from the lowest socioeconomic groups. The study also highlights that, on average, eight out of 20 children in a classroom are bullied at least once a month, with the issue being most prevalent among kids aged 12 to 15. Children from low-income families are often targeted for superficial reasons, such as not wearing trendy clothes or owning the latest smartphone. Academic underperformance also increases the risk of being bullied, often linked to a child’s socioeconomic background.
Involving over 16,000 pupils from 92 Finnish schools, the study revealed that 48% of children from the lowest-income families and 38% from middle-income families have been bullied, compared to less than a third of children from high-income families. This trend underscores how marginalisation and bias, particularly around factors outside a child’s control, continue to affect young students.
Despite ongoing efforts by teachers, parents, and administrators, the study shows that bullying remains a persistent challenge in Finnish schools.