Bullying for Applause

Indeed, 85 per cent bullying cases happen for the benefit of an audience.

Why are kids so cruel? Research has shown that the power differential between bullies and victims is a crucial component of the interaction. Bullies go for admiration, status and dominance. But despite their aggressive behaviour, bullies also want affection. Bullies care about the approval of their own in-group, so they strategically pick victims they know few other classmates will defend.

Other research has found evidence that kids who are already socially awkward are more vulnerable to bullies. But there’s no one thing that makes a child a target. A recent study found gay and lesbian teens get bullied two to three times more than their heterosexual peers. For some kids, bullying behaviour is just the tip of the iceberg. These children have other problems with aggression and control and may be abuse victims themselves.

However, there are also many otherwise well-adjusted children who just think it’s a cool thing to do. Indeed, 85 per cent of bullying cases happen for the benefit of an audience. That means the reactions of bystanders is another essential piece of the bullying puzzle. And while suicides by victims are rare, bullying does increase suicide risk. It can also cause poor school performance, depression, and low self-esteem that persists for years.

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arindam