Identifying communication abuses in school setting: Why did they do it?

Abstract

Words or languages are viewed as engines, tools and instruments for communication that able the users to apply the tools constructively and creatively. Engineering of words and languages can transform them into either positive or negative outcome in communication. Positive manipulation may lead to a better outcome in interaction between individuals while the opposite will cause communication abuses. The objectives of this study is to identify and describe the types of communication abuses occurred in school settings, and analyze the patterns of communication abuses among students in relation to gender and age group. The methodology of this study is designed based on cross-sectional study. The study involved participants from primary and secondary school in Klang, Selangor. The finding of this study revealed that there are seven categories of abusive words. Result of this study also shows that males have been proved to practice more communication abuses towards others and receive the same treatment than females do. Males were found to target girls with communication abuses with sexual contents and males which appear more feminine also being the subject of communication abuses by using homophobic words. Primary school students were practicing and experiencing communication abuses more than secondary school students.