There are very few parents who think of their kids as “bad.” While most parents might be willing to recognize that their children can have flaws, very few parents can even consider the idea that their kids might choose to go out of their way to make life difficult for one of their peers.
Sadly, the parents of bullies are often partially to blame for their child’s behavior, even if they’re completely oblivious to how they could’ve been at fault. To help you prevent your child or teen from becoming a bully, here’s what you need to know about why some kids choose to be hurtful towards their peers.
Poor Self-Esteem and Self-Image
Kids don’t bully other kids because they feel superior to them. Instead, bullying is often driven by insecurity. A bully tries to knock another child down, either metaphorically or literally, in order to build themselves up. This is why it’s crucial that you teach your child about the behaviors and the attitudes that will help them to develop a healthy self image.
No Anti-Bullying Education
If a child doesn’t receive an anti-bullying education, they may not be able to examine the bigger picture of why their behavior is wrong. Talk to your kids about how bullying can lead to the victims becoming depressed and render them a danger to themselves and others. It’s important that they understand the consequences of their actions.
For more information about anti-bullying and what you can do to protect your kids, visit I Shout Out at website.