| Bullying is one form of harassment inflicted by an | | | | done by bad mouthing the victim, refusing to socialize |
| abuser of more physical and/or social power and | | | | with the victim, name calling, mocking the victim, forcing |
| dominance than the victim. Bullying is often done with | | | | other people to avoid socializing with the victim as well, |
| clear intentions of harming the target through different | | | | and other forms of manipulation. |
| means. These means may include: verbal | | | | But why do bullies act this way? Some studies have |
| harassment, physical assault, emotional blackmail, or | | | | shown that some bullies do it to be thought of as |
| other more subtle methods of coercion such as | | | | popular or tough, or sometimes just to get attention. |
| manipulation. | | | | Bullies are said to also do it out of jealousy or they |
| Bullies are often characterized as having authoritarian | | | | may simply be acting out because they themselves |
| personalities. They also feel a strong need to control | | | | were bullied earlier in their life. Some bullies are noted |
| or dominate anything, be it a weaker person, a | | | | to have come from abusive families and |
| stronger person, or a situation. They have also been | | | | neighborhoods. |
| noted to display deficiency in terms of social skills and | | | | Being submitted to bullying often may contribute to |
| possess a prejudice against subordinates. A lot of | | | | developing inferiority complex, which is a feeling of |
| studies show that most bullies have envy and | | | | being inferior to others in one way or another. |
| resentment as motives for bullying, Researchers have | | | | Constantly being mocked or criticized in a negative |
| identified other risk factors such as quickness to anger | | | | way by bullies may force a person to start believing |
| and use of force, addiction to aggressive behaviors, | | | | those lies and lose faith in themselves. Victims may |
| mistaking others' actions as hostile, concern with | | | | also be more prone to developing stress related |
| preserving self image, and engaging in obsessive or | | | | mental conditions such as anxiety from oftentimes |
| rigid actions. | | | | being bullied. |
| Bullying exists in any setting of inevitable social | | | | Victims should know that they're not the problem, the |
| interaction, like: schools, workplaces, inside the home, | | | | bullies are. Victims should not start second-guessing |
| and around the neighbourhood. This may even occur | | | | themselves just because bullies telling them they're no |
| between different social groups, social classes and | | | | good. Being different shouldn't rob you of your right |
| even between countries. Like any kind of abusive | | | | to security. Don't be ashamed of your difference. |
| behavior, bullying is a repetitive act done to gain power | | | | It's not your fault you are unique. A good way to |
| or control over another person, race, or country. | | | | avoid being bullied is to go out in a group, it would |
| Bullying is generally classified into: | | | | make it difficult for bullies to single you out. If it doesn't |
| · Direct bullying. The bully displays physical | | | | work, it would help to tell someone you trust that |
| aggression in the form of shoving and poking, throwing | | | | someone is bullying you. Having someone mediate |
| things, slapping, choking, punching and kicking, and | | | | for you does not make you a coward. Remember, |
| beating. | | | | keeping yourself safe should matter more than what |
| · Indirect bullying. Also called social aggression, | | | | others think. |
| the victim is forced into social isolation. This is usually | | | | |