The Definition of a Bully

Bullying can be formally described as unwelcome and persistent criticism, exclusion, and isolation. The victim is subject to various forms of physical and/or emotional abuse. Bullies use intimidation to get what they want. It's important to talk to your child about why bullies act as they do.

Despite the tough façade bullies present to the world, most commonly suffer from one or more issues which cause them to engage in bullying behavior.

Reasons Bullies Bully

• Low self-confidence and low self-esteem. Bullies believe they will feel better about themselves if they pick on someone else.
• Insecurity. Bullies are often unsure of themselves and may be experiencing instability in their own lives.
• Lack of control. Bullies might feel as if they can't control certain aspects of their life, such as their home environment, but, through the use of intimidation, they feel they can control others.
• Resentment. Something may have happened in a bully's life to make him feel he has to “get even" by treating others poorly.
• Jealously. A bully is often jealous of his target and that jealousy takes the form of abuse.
• Bitterness. A bully may feel bitter because he was or is being picked himself, so he has decided to turn the tables on someone else.
• Anger. A bully may have anger issues that even he may not be aware of; a bully takes out his anger on other kids.

Inform, Don’t Ignore!

It’s important to teach your child about bullies and why bullies resort to abusing others. Talking to your child about bullying will help him recognize it and potentially put an end to what can be a dangerous cycle. It’s important for parents to take bullying seriously because it has the potential to cause significant consequences for both the person being bullied and the bully himself. Many times, there is an underlying reason for why a person has decided to bully others, and correcting that problem may be the key to stop bullying in its tracks.