Abuse in Schools: Bullying and Cultural Adjustment

Written by Haythem Lafhaj, PLMFT

For adolescents, school is often the central stage where identity, belonging, and self-worth are tested. For immigrant or bicultural teenagers, this stage can be particularly unforgiving. In one case study, I examined the struggles of a 16-year-old Tunisian-American boy who faced relentless bullying after moving to a new country. His challenges highlight the intersection of school-based abuse and cultural adjustment stress.

Bullying in schools is more than just “kids being kids.” For adolescents navigating cultural identity, it can become a direct attack on who they are. This young man faced ridicule for his accent, clothing, and even his religious background. Beyond the visible hurt, bullying eroded his sense of self and created barriers to his integration into a new educational and social environment.

Therapeutically, Strategic Family Therapy (SFT) offered a structured path forward. Unlike individual-focused approaches that might isolate the problem within the teenager, SFT recognizes the family as a system that can both suffer from and heal through adversity. The therapy sessions focused on strengthening family communication, empowering the boy to share his struggles openly, and equipping the parents with strategies to support resilience.

One important aspect was cultural sensitivity. Immigrant parents often respond to bullying with silence or minimization, seeing it as part of life’s challenges. But therapy helped reframe the problem—not as a test of toughness, but as an unjust abuse of power that required a systemic response. By validating the boy’s pain while also respecting the parents’ cultural perspectives, therapy created a bridge between generations.

Bullying also affects academic performance, mental health, and long-term identity development. Left unchecked, it can plant seeds of anxiety, depression, or self-isolation. But with the right interventions, it can also become an opportunity to build resilience. In this case, therapy highlighted the teen’s strengths—his adaptability, intelligence, and problem-solving abilities—allowing him to reclaim confidence both at home and at school.

Abuse in schools must be addressed not only as a behavioral issue but also as a cultural and systemic one. For immigrant families, therapy plays a vital role in helping adolescents navigate the dual challenge of belonging in a new culture while staying rooted in their heritage. When families and therapists work together, the scars of bullying can be transformed into stories of resilience and growth.