Bullying involves repeated acts of physical, emotional or social behavior
that are intentional, controlling and hurtful. Bullying is a learned behavior, evident as
early as two years of age. Bullying either can be direct or indirect. Direct bullying
usually is seen and felt readily. Indirect bullying (deliberate exclusion, name calling,
etc.) is much more difficult to identify, often is more difficult to remedy and should be
seen clearly as different from direct bullying. Boys more typically are engaged in direct
bullying and girls in indirect bullying, but that is not always the case. Just be alert
and consider the following:
- Bullying is defined by a power imbalance between the bully and
the target.
- A bully's power can be derived from physical size,
strength, verbal skill, popularity or gender.
- A bully's target feels tormented, helpless, and
defenseless.
- Bullying can include hitting, name-calling, threatening,
intimidating, kicking, spreading rumors, teasing, pushing, tripping,
excluding someone from a group or destroying someone's things.
Physical Bullying: Harm to someone's body or property
Emotional Bullying: Harm to someone's self-esteem
or feelings of safety
Social Bullying: Harm to someone's group acceptance
Cyber-Bullying: Use of technology to harass,
intimidate, or bully
Reference: SAMHSA. (2003). Take action against bullying.Washington, DC
