Why Do People Bully ? Reason with Examples

Contrary to the belief that bullying is restricted to kids on the playground, there have been cases across all levels and age groups. While we all know the adverse effects of bullying and how it can affect someone, we don't dig deep to understand why people bully.

Research suggests that the reasons vary from a lack of impulse control and anger management to revenge and a desire to fit in. Knowing the exact reason will help deal with the bullies and get them back on track.

Here, we will take a deep dive to understand why people bully and learn the various ways to deal with them.

But before moving on to the reasons, let’s understand the concept of bullying.

What is Bullying?

Bullying can be defined as repetitive unwelcome, and hostile behavior generally linked to imbalances in power. A common thing about bullies is that they target people who are not equal to them. In schools and colleges, the seniors bully juniors or the ones that are not equally intelligent or skilled as they are. What is more concerning is the fact that bullying is not restricted to schools and colleges; there are cases of bullying beyond educational institutions.

Here are a few tactics bullies use:

• Intimidation
• Threats
• Insults
• Intentional exclusion
• Spreading rumors and lies

Bullying can cause serious damage, and one must refrain from using any of these tactics. Despite a law against bullying in place, it has not stopped. On that note, let's explore why do people bully.

Why Do People Bully?

It is important to understand the reasons people bully before taking a step against them. Here’s a look into some of the common reasons people bully:

· Power

Teens, especially, are always willing to stay in control and pose as powerful people. It can be expected that these people do not have any say in their personal lives and feel the need to show their strength and power. This is one of the major reasons for bullying among teens. Also, students who are interested in sports and are part of school or college sports teams often show off their strength on the weaker ones.

Example: You will come across students forming a group and making fun of their classmates to show off their strength and power and prove themselves as better than others.

· Popularity

Students often use bullying as a weapon to gain popularity. It is very common to see students bullying their classmates to make a statement and to be in the spotlight. Also, there are cases where students use their popularity to bully others and often go to the extent of spreading rumors about others. Other students believe them because they are popular and often stick to doing things, as said by the popular ones.

Example: Students who are active in college and are often a part of the sports team or college band use their position to influence others about someone they don’t like, thus bullying them.

· Payback

The victims of bullying don't always keep quiet. Some of them look for ways to get some revenge. Here, the victims do not understand that they are doing something wrong. They feel their act is justified and they deserve a revenge. Bullying others gives them relief. Don't make the mistake of thinking that these victims seek revenge from the ones that bullied them. Instead, they start bullying others to feel a sense of revenge and prove that they are no less than others.

Example: Bullying victims often start looking for people who are weaker than them and start bullying them to get payback. You will come across such people in most schools and colleges.

· Personal problems

There are many who face verbal and physical abuse every day at home. Believe it or not, bullying can be a result of the problems they face at home. They automatically become aggressive as they grow up in such an environment. While there's no justification for bullying, it is important to understand the mindset of the ones who bully others before passing judgment. There are cases of sibling bullying in schools and colleges. The elder brother or sister often starts bullying the younger ones to show how powerful they are. As a consequence, the younger ones start bullying others to regain their power and position in school.

Example: A student who grows up in an unhealthy environment often tends to vent out their anger somewhere, thus choosing bullying as a weapon.

· Pleasure

It might sound weird, but there are kids who are bored and use bullying as a way of entertainment. The fact that bullying is considered a crime does not affect these kids. They find it fun to bully others and enjoy doing that with their friends. It also acts as a way to get attention from others. Hurting others make them happy, and they use various ways to bully others to entertain themselves. There are instances where these kids force others to stand in front of them and listen to what they are saying even when they don’t want to.

Example: There are many movies that show how kids take pleasure in bullying others. You will come across various real-life instances as well. View Examples

· Prejudices

There are kids who have some sort of special needs or food allergies. They are soft targets for bullies and often get bullied for being different from others. Students often target these kids for bullying without respecting their condition. It is the worst kind of bullying and is not expected from anyone. The school authorities must take the necessary steps to stop these things from happening.

Example: It is a common scene in every school and college, and there are cases where students get bullied because of their choices or some sort of condition.

· Peer pressure

One of the common reasons people bully others is to fit into their group. The kids are concerned about fitting in more than the consequences of bullying. They start bullying to keep up with others and to prove themselves equal. It is very common to see students picking on others to stay in a group. The fear of getting bullied makes them bully others.

Example: You will come across many student groups who bully others and kids who idolize them and tries to get into the group and start bullying others.

· Mental health issues

Narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder can make someone start bullying others. These conditions make people feel how their behavior might impact others and also an urge to show their power and control over others. Many might not be aware of how such mental health issues can be a cause of bullying, but it is a proven fact that people with these issues can start bullying others.

Example: People with these disorders look to protect their self-image and start bullying others to maintain their sense of superiority. They feel others are inferior to them, and bullying helps them prove the same.  

· Lack of consequences

Despite the legal rules and regulations, bullies get away without facing any consequences. It is one of the major reasons bullying has not stopped to date. You will come across bullies in all schools and colleges, and the numbers are rising because they do not face any consequences. It is impossible to break the cycle of bullying if the authorities do not take steps to stop these. Many complaints are registered each year without any consequences, and that gives the bullies a chance to continue the wrongdoings.

Example: The schools and college authorities often ignore complaints if the bullies come from a well-to-do family and let them go with a verbal warning.

The Impact of Bullying

Bullying has a long-lasting impact on a person and often makes them harm themselves. The targets are prone to:

• Develop mental health problems such as anxiety and depression
• Experience changes in eating and sleeping patterns
• Feel lonely and isolated
• Have suicidal thoughts
• Withdraw themselves from things they used to enjoy once
• Skip classes in school or college
• Drop out of school

It is necessary to take this seriously and stop the bullies before it’s too late. We have to focus on steps to prevent them, understand why people bully and follow their behavior and help them rectify themselves. It is the responsibility of both parents and the authorities to take this seriously and restrict bullying everywhere.

Final thoughts,

You must not keep quiet when you see others getting bullied or if someone is trying to bully you. One needs to take the first step to ensure that they are not bullied and confront the bullies. You must also take this up with the authorities and your parents so that necessary steps are taken against the bullies. Bullying has been a constant, especially in educational institutions, and it's high time someone takes a step to stop such things from happening. The above points will help you understand the reasons people bully others and help you find the root of the problem before you take a step.