It starts at home: When children become mirrors of a broken world
It is painful to watch—children hurting children. Recent videos of bullying—often filmed and uploaded by the bullies themselves—have gone viral, drawing sharp criticism and deep sorrow. As a parent, it’s not just disturbing—it’s heartbreaking.
These incidents are not isolated lapses. They are mirrors—reflecting a world that is fractured by anger, indifference, and disconnection. Aggression among children is becoming alarmingly common—what once seemed like ordinary misbehavior has evolved into deliberate acts of harm. And the hard truth we must confront is this: children mirror what they experience. When raised with kindness, they learn to be gentle. Made to feel invisible, unheard, or unloved, they often act out—seeking control in harmful ways.
We cannot expect teachers to carry the burden alone. Discipline begins at home. If a child doesn’t listen to or respect their parents, how can we expect them to respect a teacher or peer?
And yet, many parents are overwhelmed, stretched thin by the demands of work and life. In the rush to provide, we sometimes forget to be present. We give gadgets instead of guidance, attention to screens instead of stories, and in doing so, we unintentionally raise children who are emotionally adrift. The truth is children need connection. They need time, words, boundaries, and warmth. That’s the foundation that keeps them grounded when the world gets loud.
Behind every angry outburst is a silent pain—a feeling of being unseen, unheard, or unvalued. Children rarely have the words to express deep hurt; they act it out instead. Their aggression is sometimes a cry for help disguised as cruelty. Recognizing this doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it should stir a greater urgency in us to intervene with both firmness and compassion. If we do not listen to their pain now, they will continue to shout it out in the language of violence.
As parents, what are we prioritizing? Are we raising children who know their worth, who understand boundaries, who believe in compassion more than competition?
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that to effectively combat bullying, we need to work not just inside schools, but also within households and communities. “This is not just a school matter,” he said. “It is a national priority and demands a whole-of-government, whole-of-society response.”
Let’s shift our focus—from grades to grace, from pressure to presence. Children need to be seen, heard, guided. They need adults who live the values they preach.
It hurts to see young people tearing each other down when they should be building each other up. But there is still hope—if we start at home. Let’s raise children who choose kindness, not cruelty—who know their voice matters, and that others’ do too. Because what they learn in our homes today will shape the world they create tomorrow.
Maria Teresa B. Macasinag,
mariateresa.macasinag@deped.gov.ph
