CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD BULLY

Children who bully may witness at home verbal and physical violence or aggression. They have a positive view on their behavior. Bullies act aggressively toward other people, adults included. They may push or hit other children. They are often strong physically. Bullies may or may not be popular with kids around the same age. They have trouble following rules. As for the feelings of others, they show little concern. Many of them think highly of themselves. Bullies like being looked up to so they often expect everyone to behave according to their wishes. These children most likely are not taught to think about how their actions make others feel. Children who bully are at risk for failing in school and dropping out of school. Later in life, they are at risk for getting involved with crime and fights. Also, bullies are more likely to use drugs more than children who don't bully. There are some kids who both bully others and are bullied. They may lash out at others because they may have been bullied. These children use alcohol and/or carry a weapon more than children not affected by bullying. This bullying behavior is a "red flag". It means he/she has not learned to control his/her aggression. They need counseling to learn healthy ways to interact with people. Children can discover why bullying is harmful through professional counseling. A counselor can encourage a child to develop empathy through this process. Follow-up counseling, in some cases, may involve the parent. In boys who bully, family counseling has been shown to help reduce anger and improve interpersonal relationships.