Bullies are mean! Aren’t they? Truth be told, most bullies need help and don’t know how to get it, so they bully others to feel better. While some are just mean, many bullies don’t even realize that their behaviors are considered bullying. Let’s take a look at why kids bully.
Kids Bully Because?
First, some kids find it hard to make friends. They may think that teasing or picking on other kids makes them look cool and will allow them to “fit in.” Many kids will do things in a group they wouldn’t do alone. Are they being mean? Well, to the one being bullied yes. Are they doing it on purpose? Well, yes, to fit in. Do they realize that they’re doing it? Probably not. Fortunately, this type of bullying can be easily fixed when you take time to talk to your child about the mob mentality and groupthink.
On the opposite end, some kids feel they are smarter, more athletic, better looking, or possess other attributes that give them the right to bully or exclude others. This feeling of “superiority” COULD lead to unintentional bullying. As the saying goes, there’s a fine line between being cocky and being confident. Sometimes the popular, more athletic kids cross the line and become the bully.
Still, other kids bully because they envy others for who they are or what they have. Kids who do not have a good home life, wear nice clothes, have good manners, or are good students bully others that do have these things. The poor athletic jock picking on the nerdy rich kid is a common trope. In reality, the jock wishes they had the privilege of the rich kid.
Bullying Boils Down To?
All this boils down to a lack of education though. Kids may not recognize that constant teasing or certain types of jokes are hurtful to others and considered bullying. They are not aware their actions may cause distress and dilemma in others. Proper education about respecting others and following the Golden Rule of treating others, as you’d like them to treat you, can avoid the unintentional bullying of others.
To learn more about why kids bully, read how Nuff deals with it his latest adventure titled Bullying Isn’t Nice. Join him as he finds out the pros and cons of being on both sides of the bullying spectrum and why making friends is better.
