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A Meta-Analytical Review of Gender-Based School Bullying in Spain

School bullying remains a significant challenge in Spain, particularly when it is driven by gender norms or aimed at the LGBT+ community. A recent meta-analytical study by Sandra Feijóo and Raquel Rodríguez-Fernández offers valuable insight into how widespread and complex this issue is in Spanish educational contexts.

The researchers analysed 24 studies conducted since 2008, focusing on bullying related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or nonconformity to traditional gender roles. They used a meta-analytic approach to estimate the prevalence of such bullying from different perspectives: observers, victims, and perpetrators.

As a result, the researchers have found that there's 77.3% of students reported witnessing bullying based on gender-related issues. There's about 13.3% of students that admitted to engaging in such bullying behavior, and 8.6% of the general school population reported experiencing gender-based bullying. This dropped to 3.6% when looking only at confirmed bullying victims citing gender as the reason, and among LGBT+ youth, the rate skyrocketed to 51%.

Interestingly, many incidents are not necessarily tied to actual sexual orientation or gender identity but rather to how individuals are perceived in relation to traditional gender roles. Boys labeled “feminine” or girls labeled “masculine” often become targets, regardless of their identity.

These findings emphasize the urgent need for gender-sensitive policies in education. Many regions in Spain still lack sufficient data or intervention programs tailored to LGBT+ students or those who defy gender norms.

Finally, according to researchers to create safer schools they recommend:

  • Promoting respect for gender diversity

  • Training teachers to recognize and intervene in gender-based bullying

  • Implementing consistent monitoring and support systems

Gender-based bullying in schools is not just a disciplinary issue—it’s a human rights concern. By understanding its patterns and focusing on inclusion, Spain can work towards more respectful, tolerant learning environments for all students.

Bibliograpy:

Feijóo, S., & Rodríguez-Fernández, R. (2021). A meta-analytical review of gender-based school bullying in Spain. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(23), 12687.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/23/12687

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