Bullying

Bullying has been in evidence for thousands of years and will be for thousands more. Though it is a major problem, there is no collective will to resolve it. It has a major impact on millions of people both bullies and their victims. It is present in every aspect of society... including schools, workplace, families, clubs, the armed forces and prison.

Behaviours used to maintain such domination can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion, and such acts may be directed repeatedly towards particular targets. Reasoning of such behaviour sometimes includes differences of social class, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, body language, personality, reputation, lineage, strength, size or ability.

Physical, verbal, and relational bullying are most prevalent in primary school and continue into later stages of individuals’ lives. Cyber-bullying is more common in secondary school than in primary school.

Physical

This is any bullying that hurts someone's body or damages their possessions. Stealing, pushing, hitting, fighting, and destroying property all are types of physical bullying. Physical bullying is rarely the first form of bullying that a target will experience. Often bullying will begin in a different form and later progress to physical violence. Sometimes groups of young adults will target and alienate a peer because of some adolescent prejudice. Physical bullying will often escalate over time, and can lead to a tragic ending, and therefore must be stopped quickly to prevent any further escalation.

Verbal

This is any bullying that is conducted by speaking. Namecalling, spreading rumours, threatening somebody, and making fun of others are all forms of verbal bullying. Verbal bullying is one of the most common types of bullying. In many cases, verbal bullying is the province of girls. Girls are more subtle (and can be more devastating), in general, than boys. Girls use verbal bullying, as well as social exclusion techniques, to dominate and control other individuals and show their superiority and power.

Relational

This is any bullying that is done with the intent to hurt somebody's reputation or social standing which can also link in with the techniques included in physical and verbal bullying. Relational Bullying is a form of bullying common amongst youth, but particularly upon girls. Relational bullying can be used as a tool by bullies to both improve their social standing and control others. Unlike physical bullying which is obvious, relational bullying is not overt and can continue for a long time without being noticed.

Cyber-bullying

Cyber bullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. When an adult is involved, it may meet the definition of cyber-harassment or cyberstalking, a crime that can have legal consequences. This includes email, instant messaging, social networking sites (such as Facebook), text messages, and cell phones.

Bullies

Studies have shown that envy and resentment may be motives for bullying. Research on the self-esteem of bullies has produced ambiguous results. While some bullies are arrogant and narcissistic, they can also use bullying as a tool to conceal shame or anxiety or to boost self-esteem: by demeaning others, the abuser feels empowered. Bullies may bully out of jealousy or because they themselves are bullied.

Psychologist Roy Baumeister asserts that people who are prone to abusive behaviour tend to have inflated but fragile egos. Because they think too highly of themselves, they are frequently offended by the criticisms and lack of deference of other people, and react to this disrespect with violence and insults

A bully may project his own feelings of vulnerability onto the target. Despite the fact that a bully's typical activities are aimed at the target, the true source of such negativity is found in the bully's own sense of personal insecurity and vulnerability. Such aggressive projections can occur all the way up through to the macro-level of international politics, or even international armed conflict.

Victims

Dr. Cook says that "A typical victim is likely to lack social skills, think negative thoughts, experience difficulties in solving social problems, come from a negative family, school and community environments and be noticeably rejected and isolated by peers". Victims often have characteristics such as being physically weak, as well as being easily distraught emotionally. They may also have physical characteristics that make them easier targets for bullies such as being overweight or having some type of physical deformity. Boys are more likely to be victims of physical bullying while girls are more likely to be bullied indirectly.

Mona O'Moore of the AntiBullying Centre at Trinity College in Dublin, has written, "There is a growing body of research which indicates that individuals, whether child or adult, who are persistently subjected to abusive behaviour are at risk of stress related illness which can sometimes lead to suicide".

Those who have been the targets of bullying can suffer from long term emotional and behavioural problems. Bullying can cause loneliness, depression, anxiety, lead to low self-esteem and increased susceptibility to illness. A mental health report also found that bullying was linked to eating disorders, anxiety, body dysmorphia and other negative psychological effects.

Suicide

Even though there is evidence that bullying increases the risk of suicide, bullying alone does not cause suicide. Depression is one of the main reasons why children who are bullied die by suicide. It is estimated that between 15 and 25 children die by suicide every year in the UK alone because they are being bullied

Responding to bullying

Common ways that people try to respond, are to try to ignore it, to confront the bullies or to turn to an authority figure to try and address it.

Ignoring it often does nothing to stop the bullying continuing, and it can become worse over time. It is important to address bullying behaviour early on, as it can be easier to control the earlier it is detected. Bystanders play an important role in responding to bullying, as doing nothing can encourage it to continue, while small steps that oppose the behaviour can reduce it.

Confrontation is often cited as the way to deal with bullies. Whilst in some cases this can be effective, using violence to counter violence can often escalate the issue with both sides too afraid to back down. A bully faced with resistance can react with even greater ferocity as his actions are challenged by someone he may feel is his inferior.

Authority figures can play an important role, and can be influential in recognising and stopping bullying behaviour, and creating an environment where it doesn't continue. Some of the most effective ways to respond, are to recognise that harmful behaviour is taking place, and creating an environment where it won't continue.

The results of bullying are never good and the consequences are evident for both bullies and their victims. For the bullies, there can be poor adaption to social situations in later life. For the victims, there can be low self esteem, fear of intimidation and depression. There is no upside to bullying.

Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate or aggressively dominate others.