Sustained Deviance and Educational Disruption: Post Pandemic Behavioral Trajectories in Urban Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63539/isrn.2026006Keywords:
Behavioral Changes, Deviance, COVID-19, School Closure, BangladeshAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to prolonged school closures in Bangladesh, disrupting children’s educational routines and social interactions. In Dhaka City, limited empirical research has examined how these closures affected students’ behavioral patterns beyond academic loss. This study investigates behavioral, digital, and educational changes among school-going children during the post-pandemic period. Guided by Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory, the research examines how weakened attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief structures during school closure influenced behavioral outcomes. Methodologically, a quantitative descriptive design was employed. Data were collected from 60 parents of students from three secondary schools in Dhaka using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 through frequency distribution and percentage analysis. Findings indicate that 73.33% of children experienced noticeable behavioral changes. Approximately 66.67% had access to social media and online gaming, contributing to increased screen dependency. Drug use was reported among 13.33% of children, while 16.7% were involved in physical violence. Additionally, 26.7% admitted to breaking social norms. Educationally, 81.67% of respondents reported academic disruption, with decreased concentration (38.33%) and reduced reading motivation (26.67%) being the most prominent effects. The findings suggest that weakened social bonds during school closure increased vulnerability to behavioral shifts, although most children did not engage in severe deviance. The study recommends structured school-based counseling programs, parental digital monitoring and guidance, blended learning strategies, and community engagement initiatives to support behavioral readjustment. Longitudinal research is recommended to assess long-term post-pandemic behavioral consequences.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mutasim Billah, MD Ridoy, Shahana Akter Monna (Author)
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