Bullying

Why Do Juveniles Bully?

In schools, bullying usually occurs in all areas. It can occur in nearly any part in or around the school building. It often occurs in gym class, recess, hallways, bathrooms, on school buses and waiting for buses, classes that require group work, and after school activities. Bullying in school sometimes consists of a group of students taking advantage of one student in particular and there is usually a group of viewers. These viewers know what is happening is wrong, but they fear of becoming the next victim. These bullies will taunt and tease their victim before physically bullying them. Targets of bullying in schools are often individuals who are considered different from their peers, which makes the situation more difficult for them to deal with. Some children bully because they have been isolated, and they have a deep need for belonging, but they do not have the proper social skills to make and keep friends.

The bullying relationship is characterized by a difference of power. The victim of bullying finds it difficult to defend him or herself, and begins to feel powerless against the bully. The child who bullies typically is bigger, older, stronger, or more popular than the victim. The bully’s intent is to use power over the victim. For example, girls who bully through prevention and other forms of aggression are likely to have more social authority than their victims. The bully is aware that his or her behavior causes misery. The bully enjoys the victims’ reaction, and the bullying continues and increases. Bullies hurt others in order to feel strong and powerful.

Children who bully:

• May hit or push other children.

• Are often physically strong.

• May or may not be popular with other children around their same age.

• Have trouble following rules.

• Show little concern for the feelings of others.

Many bullies think highly of themselves. They like being looked up to and they often expect everyone to behave according to their wishes. Children who bully are usually not taught to think about how their actions make other people feel. Some children are both, bully and are bullied. They may have been bullied and then take it out on others that are inferior to them.

Why do children bully?

• To gain a sense of power or control.

• To win recognition and status from peers.

• They may have learning problems at school.

• See violence as a positive quality.

• Have low self esteem, feel insecure, and friendless.

• Be mean minded and have a negative view of the world.

• Be emotionally unstable and act in socially dysfunctional ways.

• They have been bullied themselves.