Signs a Child Is a Bully

Signs a Child Is a Bully

While the majority of parents are hesitant to admit or even entertain the possibility that their child is a bully, data collected from students and educators suggest that a surprisingly big number of kids are actually the perpetrators of bullying. While around 1 in 5 elementary school students is a victim of bullying, about the same amount are bullies (Robison, 2010). In middle school and high school, between grades 6 and 10, 19% of students report instances of bullying others, 17% of students admit they have been victims of bullying at some point, while 6% display the qualities of both the victim and the bully, according to a study cited in Robison’s (2010) article. If parents wish to understand their kids better and possibly break the cycle of violence they find themselves in, it is crucial for them to look out for signs that their child is not only being bullied but a bully themselves. Robison (2010) articulates the typical characteristics of a bully rather well, indicating that they lack empathy, prefer rebellious behaviors, act impulsively, and so on. However, while these characteristics are correct, it is rather hard for parents to assess their children’s predisposition to bullying using these subjective qualities.

Thus, there is a need for a more in-depth set of signs a child usually displays if they find themselves in a position of power among their peers and decide to bully others. Firstly, an obvious sign that a child might be a bully is if they refuse to take responsibility for their words and actions. It is a psychological mechanism for bullies to continue what they are doing: shift the blame, and thus, the feelings of guilt and regret onto others. Hence, parents should be aware that their kids often make justifications for their behavior or excuses based on some external factors. If the child rarely admits they are actually in the wrong when they clearly are, it might be implied that they are a bully.