Psychosocial issue in a school setting, which could create a barrier to learning

by | Feb 18, 2025 | Essays

 

Identify and discuss one psychosocial issue in a school setting, which could create a barrier to learning (e.g., bullying, substance abuse, homelessness, poverty, ADHD, conduct issues, spectrum disorders, poor health, domestic violence and abuse in the home, a parent or parents with addiction, etc.). In your discussion, address whether the school social worker, the school counselor, or the school psychologist would be the best professional to address this issue, or whether the services of all three would be required, and why. What external services might be recommended or even enforced?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Let’s discuss bullying as a significant psychosocial issue in school settings that creates substantial barriers to learning. Bullying, whether physical, verbal, relational, or cyber, creates a hostile environment that negatively impacts both the victim and, often, the perpetrator, as well as bystanders. For victims, bullying can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, absenteeism, and even suicidal ideation. Perpetrators often exhibit other behavioral issues and may be at increased risk for later problems with aggression and the law. Bystanders can also experience anxiety and fear, and the overall school climate suffers.

Let’s discuss bullying as a significant psychosocial issue in school settings that creates substantial barriers to learning. Bullying, whether physical, verbal, relational, or cyber, creates a hostile environment that negatively impacts both the victim and, often, the perpetrator, as well as bystanders. For victims, bullying can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, absenteeism, and even suicidal ideation. Perpetrators often exhibit other behavioral issues and may be at increased risk for later problems with aggression and the law. Bystanders can also experience anxiety and fear, and the overall school climate suffers.

Which professional is best suited to address bullying?

While all three professionals – the school social worker, school counselor, and school psychologist – play vital roles in a school setting, addressing bullying effectively requires a collaborative approach involving all of them. Here’s why:

  • School Counselor: The school counselor can work with both the victim and the bully individually and in groups. They can provide counseling to help victims develop coping strategies, build resilience, and address any emotional trauma. They can also work with bullies to understand the underlying reasons for their behavior, develop empathy, and learn prosocial skills. Counselors can also facilitate conflict resolution and peer mediation programs.  

  • School Social Worker: The school social worker often acts as the bridge between the school, the family, and the community. They can investigate the context of the bullying, including any family or environmental factors that might be contributing to the behavior. They can connect families with resources like parenting support groups, mental health services, or legal assistance if needed. They are also trained to handle crisis situations and can intervene if bullying escalates.  

  • School Psychologist: The school psychologist can conduct assessments to determine if there are underlying psychological issues contributing to the bullying behavior, such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression. They can also provide recommendations for interventions and support services. They can also consult with teachers and staff on creating a positive school climate and implementing school-wide anti-bullying programs.  

Why a collaborative approach is essential:

Bullying is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. A counselor might help a victim cope, but if the bully’s behavior stems from a dysfunctional home environment, the social worker’s involvement is crucial. If the bully has an undiagnosed mental health condition, the psychologist’s assessment is necessary. A collaborative approach allows for a holistic understanding of the situation and the development of a comprehensive intervention plan.

External Services:

Depending on the severity and nature of the bullying, external services might be recommended or even enforced. These could include:

  • Mental health professionals: If the bullying has resulted in significant emotional trauma, individual or family therapy with a licensed mental health professional might be necessary.
  • Law enforcement: In cases of severe physical bullying, harassment, or cyberbullying that involves threats or criminal activity, law enforcement might need to be involved.
  • Child Protective Services (CPS): If the social worker suspects that the bullying behavior is indicative of abuse or neglect in the home, a report to CPS might be mandated.
  • Community-based organizations: Organizations that specialize in bullying prevention or youth development can provide additional support and resources for students and families.  

Schools have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for all students. A collaborative approach involving school social workers, counselors, and psychologists, along with external services when needed, is essential for effectively addressing bullying and creating a school culture where all students can thrive.

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