Did you know that October is National Bullying Prevention Month? Let’s start with a question about bullying that has been asked since the beginning of time: Why do people bully others? While there is no one answer that fits all bullies, there are some common reasons that may drive someone to engage in this type of behavior. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why people become bullies.
Why Does Bullying Happen?
One of the most common reasons why people bully others is because they themselves have been bullied. Those who have experienced bullying first hand are more likely to engage in bullying behavior as adults. This is often because they never learned how to cope with their own feelings of pain and insecurity, so they take it out on others.
Another common reason for bullying is feelings of insecurity or jealousy. People who bully others often do so because they feel threatened by them in some way. Maybe the person they’re bullying is better looking, smarter, or more popular than they are. Whatever the reason, those who bully others often do so out of a place of insecurity.
Finally, some people bully others because they enjoy the feeling of power and control it gives them. These individuals get a rush from knowing that they can make another person feel bad at any given moment. Oftentimes, these bullies come from homes where they don’t feel like they have any control, so they take it out on others.
What Can Be Done?
As you can see, people bully because of their own unmet needs, feelings and emotions. This is the emotional side of bullying that needs to be addressed and dealt with before bullying can be prevented. Our Bullying Prevention Program focuses on this emotional side of the bullying process. It works by assessing user skills and assigning skill enhancement activities for developing a healthy personality. To learn more, schedule a demo today.