Bully Stereotype Can Mask the Bigger Issue

Many of us imagine a typical bully. This child is usually a boy. It’s likely that he is bullied at home—at the hands of a parent or guardian. Not only is this idea a stereotype [2], but it’s often false; anyone can be a bully.

As a fifth–grader, I was the bully. I bullied a classmate other peers enjoyed picking on. I reflect back and can’t recall why I laughed at her and called her names. Perhaps it gave me a sense of power. I had been picked on by older kids for a variety of reasons [3] and felt powerless. But when I picked on this girl, I felt like I fit in with the rest of the kids. And at least it wasn’t me being bullied.

I also remember that I felt awful right after doing it. My teacher confronted me quickly. She was shocked that I, a straight-A student, who often helped other children and was usually kind, could have done such a thing. I was even more ashamed. I apologized (as requested) and I stopped.

Had my teacher not intervened, would I have continued to be a bully? I honestly don’t know. I hope not. I knew it was wrong. But if I, in my “geeky” pink glasses, wearing charity-issued hand-me-down clothes, with my bright red hair, taller-than-the-rest-of-the-class stature and chubby cheeks, could bully another child, who couldn’t?

Since then, I have seen bullying in many different forms. I have witnessed marching band students bully cheerleaders during football games. I’ve both witnessed and been the victim of teacher bullying. No one is immune.

This is why it is crucial that we battle the bullying issue each time we see it. We need to help students and educators become a team of compassionate humans looking out for one another. We must keep the lines of communication open so our students will trust us enough to help them when they experience bullying—whether it is as a victim or a bully. Then we can offer guidance and support.

Schmidt is a writer and editor based in Missouri.