Rejected love, pent-up emotions can push teenagers towards violence, says criminologist

Criminologist Dr Zalmizy Hussin has warned that rejection, jealousy, and pent-up resentment can trigger violent behavior in teenagers, especially when they lack emotional maturity. Dr Hussin, from Universiti Utara Malaysia, noted that incidents involving young people often stem from a buildup of hidden emotions, rather than isolated causes.

The warning comes in the wake of the tragic death of 16-year-old student Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, whose post-mortem revealed she died from traumatic head injuries caused by a blunt object. The incident occurred at a secondary school in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, on Saturday. Police arrested a 16-year-old boy, who was subsequently remanded for six days in connection with the murder, which is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Police have urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information or speculating about the circumstances surrounding the case. Dr Hussin emphasized that motives such as rejected love, jealousy, and resentment do sometimes play a role in cases involving adolescents but cautioned against making assumptions before the facts are established.

He highlighted that teenagers are still developing their ability to manage emotions like anger, jealousy, shame, and rejection. "When they are rejected or feel humiliated in front of their friends, they may feel as though their world has fallen apart. They may not know how to deal with that disappointment healthily," he explained.

Dr Hussin pointed out that young people often keep their feelings to themselves, which can exacerbate the situation. Children are frequently encouraged to be strong and not complain, but unaddressed emotions can build up and lead to resentment. "This is what I would describe as accumulated pressure. When that pressure builds up, a seemingly small incident can become the trigger for a much bigger reaction," he said.

Another challenge is that teenagers may have many online friends but lack trusted individuals to talk to in person. Dr Hussin noted that while schools and teachers are crucial in identifying problems, they cannot be expected to detect every emotional change in students. Teachers are already overworked with large classes, demanding syllabuses, and administrative duties.

"It is not realistic to expect a teacher to pick up every subtle emotional change among 40 students in a classroom. Some conflicts may also begin outside school, including through WhatsApp or social media late at night," he added. Dr Hussin stressed the need to shift focus towards prevention and early intervention rather than reacting after an incident occurs.

At home, parents should encourage children to talk about their problems without immediately judging or punishing them. They should also be watchful for behavioral changes, such as sudden withdrawal, refusal to attend school, or excessive phone usage. In educational settings, counselling should be considered a normal part of student development, not just for those already regarded as having problems.

"Counselling is not only for students who have problems. It should be a place where all students learn to manage their emotions," Dr Hussin advised. He also called for stronger peer-support programs that allow students to recognize signs of distress in their peers and alert teachers or counsellors when necessary. Emotional and digital literacy should be taught from an early age, covering topics like dealing with rejection, anger, and conflict without resorting to violence.

Dr Hussin stressed that prevention is not merely about installing more CCTV cameras; it involves ensuring every child has someone to turn to and a place to be heard before they resort to violence.