The sociological construction of silence: Family dynamics and peer bullying through the lens of Noelle-Neumann’s spiral of silence theory
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Abstract
Understanding the social foundations of peer bullying remains a critical concern in educational research, particularly regarding the mechanisms that normalize silence in the face of aggression. Although the Spiral of Silence has been widely applied to public opinion and media studies, limited attention has been given to its roots within family structures and its implications for school bullying. This study addresses this theoretical gap by arguing that the suppression of personal views to avoid exclusion reflects a structural habitus formed within hierarchical family environments. Employing qualitative methods, including document analysis and theoretical critique, the study integrates insights from Panopticon and Stigma to examine how fear of isolation consolidates peer conformity and legitimizes the dominance of bullies. The findings conceptualize peer bullying as a systemic culture of silence rooted in familial socialization and reinforced by social anxiety. The study concludes that disrupting this cycle requires macro sociological structural transformation rather than solely school-based disciplinary measures. It highlights the need to promote democratic participation within families, cultivate secure educational environments that protect differences, and reconceptualize silence as a form of social paralysis.
Keywords: Bullying; family socialization; social exclusion; spiral of silence; structural transformation
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