Why do bullies bully?
There are lots of different reasons why some people bully.
Some bullies think that behaving like that makes them look big and tough - they like people to be afraid of them and enjoy the feeling of being in charge. Some bullies have very low self esteem and think that bullying is the only thing they are good at. Some do it because they want attention. Others are jealous of the people they are bullying, or feel insecure. Some may be being bullied themselves, maybe at home. Some bullies bully because they are unhappy within themselves and think that taking it out on other people will make them feel better. Other bullies may bully because the people around them do, and they are worried that if they don't join in they will get picked on. Whatever makes bullies bully, bullying is always wrong.
You may wonder why bullies target certain people. The victims of bullying are often portrayed as a classic stereotype, but this is not accurate. Anybody, through no fault of their own, can be bullied. Bullies use all kinds of excuses to try to justify their actions. They pick on people because they are "different" - perhaps they wear glasses, are fat or thin, or tall or short, have a particular accent, have a speech impediment like a stammer or a lisp, have a different religion, a different skin colour, a disability, or because they work hard in school, or lots of other reasons. Some bullies choose to pick on people who they think won't answer back or can't stand up for themselves.
Anything that makes the person stand out as "different" can make a bully pick on that person. But remember, there is nothing wrong with being "different". After all, it is much better to be "different" than to be a bully!
Sadly, lots of people who are bullied believe that the bullying is their fault and that there must be something wrong with them that causes them to get picked on. This is not true. All bullying is wrong. It's the bullies that need to change, not the victims.
You don't have to put up with bullying! Visit the how to stop it section to see what you can do.
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