Some female teachers decided to work ever harder , enrolled in further studies , tried to develop a thick skin or started complimenting the aggressor , even in an unrealistic way. Because their self-worth were so low and they struggled with stress , anxiousness , fear and depressive feelings , many of them experienced paralysis and were not capable of making decisions. They gradually started to realise that they basically had three choices : they had to put up with the aggression , confront the aggressor or leave the school. Some of the female teachers succeeded after being motivated for a period to generate the courage and take action. Others stay in limbo (Van der Merwe , 2013:94-95).