Why do people bully people?

[Elysian]

I can understand people doing crazy things for money, wealth etc., but bullying fascinates me because here there is no material gain to be obtained. So why do people do it?:confused:

[Ned Kelly]

Jealousy..home situation, etc.

[RGacky3]

Its self worth imo, people consider (for whatever reason) their self worth to be equal to the degredation of other people, basically you put people down so that you can feel good about yourself. Its a very similar attitude that right wing free marketeers have when you get down to it, the "they are weaker so they deserve to be exploited, and they deserve whats comming to them."

Also the right wing idea of being "tough" which means being "tough" on the defenseless, its the same as the bullies concept of "toughness." Whereas a normal person with empathy would consider it "tough" to stand up to power.

[Obs]

Bullying is a healthy part of growing up, one that is well utilised by skilled pedagogues to create positive peer pressure - that is, inciting to bully otherwise mentally healthy children who fail to behave properly. That way, the social skills and ethics of the children involved are instilled in them by their peers and equals rather than by a perceived authority figure.

Of course, bullying, if left unchecked, does more harm than good. Since it's a primitive reaction designed to rid the collective of undesirables - but, considering that children are unable to correctly distinguish what is undesirable and what is merely difference, they need to be guided (subtly) into picking the right targets.

[#FF0000]

they need to be guided (subtly) into picking the right targets.

lol and what are the right targets pray tell

[Obs]

lol and what are the right targets pray tell
Children who behave inappropriately, obviously.

[hatzel]

Children who behave inappropriately, obviously.

What does it mean to 'behave inappropriately'? What is 'inappropriate behavior'?

[Obs]

What does it mean to 'behave inappropriately'? What is 'inappropriate behavior'?
Well, for instance, in a school setting, one would have to make an effort to counter-act laziness or disruptive behaviour that harms other children. Any behaviour that harms other children who behave, either by directly harming them (through negative bullying/peer pressure) or by inciting them to behave inappropriately, should warrant action.

[Ostrinski]

People bully because they're assholes. Of course there are reasons for this, Gacky said it the best. Fuck 'em.

[danyboy27]

It depend, most of the time bullying is something you learn from abusive people in position of authority.

When a young person realize it can be morally justified to use violence to get what he or she want, this person become a bully.

Violence become for the bully a legitimate way to control the environnement he live in.

Affraid of something? beat the shit out of it. need something? beat the shit out of someone to get what you want.

[Tim Cornelis]

It depend, most of the time bullying is something you learn from abusive people in position of authority.

When a young person realize it can be morally justified to use violence to get what he or she want, this person become a bully.

Violence become for the bully a legitimate way to control the environnement he live in.

Affraid of something? beat the shit out of it. need something? beat the shit out of someone to get what you want.


Its self worth imo, people consider (for whatever reason) their self worth to be equal to the degredation of other people, basically you put people down so that you can feel good about yourself.


Jealousy

That may be true for some (I don't know), but not all. Just think, many here hate Justin Bieber and rip on him, do you do this because you're jealous? Most of you aren't. Do you rip on him to make yourself feel better? My guess us you don't. You rip on him because you "hate" him, because you think he is annoying.


I am ashamed that I have done my fair share of bullying, but I can tell that I did not do it out of jealousy or making myself feel good.

I did it because the person(s) annoyed me, I considered them so awkward and annoying and I wanted to make it known that they were awkward and annoying by ripping on them. And it certainly wasn't the proudest moment of my life, to say the very least.

[#FF0000]

Well, for instance, in a school setting, one would have to make an effort to counter-act laziness or disruptive behaviour that harms other children. Any behaviour that harms other children who behave, either by directly harming them (through negative bullying/peer pressure) or by inciting them to behave inappropriately, should warrant action.

Peer pressure isn't necessarily bullying and I can't imagine how a bully would keep kinds from being disruptive, honestly :mellow:

[danyboy27]

Peer pressure isn't necessarily bullying and I can't imagine how a bully would keep kinds from being disruptive, honestly :mellow:
Peer pressure is bullying, its a form of harassement.

[danyboy27]

I did it because the person(s) annoyed me, I considered them so awkward and annoying and I wanted to make it known that they were awkward and annoying by ripping on them. And it certainly wasn't the proudest moment of my life, to say the very least.

Has i said, bullying is about the control of one own environnement.

[Obs]

I did it because the person(s) annoyed me, I considered them so awkward and annoying and I wanted to make it known that they were awkward and annoying by ripping on them. And it certainly wasn't the proudest moment of my life, to say the very least.
I don't get why you're ashamed about this, to be honest. What you did was effectively encourage behaviour that did not make you and others around the person in question uncomfortable.

Peer pressure isn't necessarily bullying
Bullying is the most effective form of peer pressure, though.

and I can't imagine how a bully would keep kinds from being disruptive, honestly :mellow:
I don't see why not. A bully is anyone who practices bullying, that is, harrassment with the intent to affect behaviour. This can be utilised to discourage disruptiveness.

[Leftie]

Children who behave inappropriately, obviously.

Like...bullies?

[#FF0000]

Bullying is the most effective form of peer pressure, though.

[citation needed]

Could you give me an example or something of how a bully could possibly bully... constructively?

[Obs]

[citation needed]

Could you give me an example or something of how a bully could possibly bully... constructively?
Well, this might end up being a bit too personal, but here goes:

I have asperger's syndrome. In my childhood, this affected my behaviour in that I failed to understand social cues from my peers, thus preventing me from making friends easily. Furthermore, since I failed to effectively seek out what I had in common with my peers, my behaviour ended up being awkward and annoying. As a result, I was bullied more or less non-stop throughout my time in school, probably until about seventh grade. As a result, I gradually began to change my behaviour to one that didn't encourage others to bully me, and eventually I ended up being the person I am today - that is, one with several close friends and plenty of healthy social relationships to other people. I've noticed that I've done better at forming and maintaining social relations than many other aspergers I've met who've been sheltered from bullying through going to special schools or classes.

That's basically what I'm basing my position on (well, that, and a sloppy reading of a summary of some Makarenko). I realise it's kind of anecdotal and not really evidence per se, but I'd be interested in seeing if any studies have been made regarding the positive effects of bullying - so far, it seems, people have gone from mostly ignoring it straight to attacking it instantly in some kind of knee-jerk reaction.

[Tychus]

Well, this might end up being a bit too personal, but here goes:

I have asperger's syndrome. In my childhood, this affected my behaviour in that I failed to understand social cues from my peers, thus preventing me from making friends easily. Furthermore, since I failed to effectively seek out what I had in common with my peers, my behaviour ended up being awkward and annoying. As a result, I was bullied more or less non-stop throughout my time in school, probably until about seventh grade. As a result, I gradually began to change my behaviour to one that didn't encourage others to bully me, and eventually I ended up being the person I am today - that is, one with several close friends and plenty of healthy social relationships to other people. I've noticed that I've done better at forming and maintaining social relations than many other aspergers I've met who've been sheltered from bullying through going to special schools or classes.

That's basically what I'm basing my position on (well, that, and a sloppy reading of a summary of some Makarenko). I realise it's kind of anecdotal and not really evidence per se, but I'd be interested in seeing if any studies have been made regarding the positive effects of bullying - so far, it seems, people have gone from mostly ignoring it straight to attacking it instantly in some kind of knee-jerk reaction.

And look what happened to you. You're equally as awkward but learned how to mask the impulses, became an insecure irascible manchild that uses fanboy terms like "white knight" to project his inner problems onto other people and generally act like a prick to everyone in the hopes that they'll think you're badass and maybe respect you.

What you hoped to prove your case proved exactly the opposite. This is exactly the type of broken, emotionally-crippled people bullies create.

And I keep wondering where the fuck all these dipshit ethugs and trolls keep coming from and taking up valuable bandwidth? :rolleyes: Hard to access any place on the net without running into one of them these days.

[Elysian]

How do bullies choose their victims, especially if the victims are not small or skinny? Then what gives the bully the courage in such cases? Could it be a nice face which makes the bully think such nice faces won't react?

[Ostrinski]

How do bullies choose their victims, especially if the victims are not small or skinny? Then what gives the bully the courage in such cases? Could it be a nice face which makes the bully think such nice faces won't react?Anyone that looks vulnerable really, it's all about the power dynamics as danyboy has already said.

[RGacky3]

Just think, many here hate Justin Bieber and rip on him, do you do this because you're jealous? Most of you aren't. Do you rip on him to make yourself feel better? My guess us you don't. You rip on him because you "hate" him, because you think he is annoying.


Bullshit, someone is annoying when they sit next to you and are poking you, not annoying just because they exist, unless your a weak minded person who wants to "hate" someone and wants to find a reason to "hate" someone, because really "hating" that person puts you above them.

Thats the whole thing about Bieber, why would anyone hate some kid making music somewhere else???

Its as idiotic as people who get mad because there are Gay people, even if it does'nt affect them at all.


I did it because the person(s) annoyed me, I considered them so awkward and annoying and I wanted to make it known that they were awkward and annoying by ripping on them. And it certainly wasn't the proudest moment of my life, to say the very least.

I propose that if you dig deep enough you'll find its something else than them being awkward and annoying. I guarnatee you those people were not imposing themselves on you, at least not for long

A normal person see's an awkward person and feels some sort of empathetic compassion (you feel bad for them), they don't get annoyed and want to "make it known" that you consisder them "awkward," thats caused by something else, I don't think its jealosy at all, I think its just a way to boost yourself somehow, by putting other people down, or a type of zynophobia.

You can't put it on annoyance uness the people themselves are harrasing you.

[Revolution starts with U]

And look what happened to you. You're equally as awkward but learned how to mask the impulses, became an insecure irascible manchild that uses fanboy terms like "white knight" to project his inner problems onto other people and generally act like a prick to everyone in the hopes that they'll think you're badass and maybe respect you.

What you hoped to prove your case proved exactly the opposite. This is exactly the type of broken, emotionally-crippled people bullies create.

And I keep wondering where the fuck all these dipshit ethugs and trolls keep coming from and taking up valuable bandwidth? :rolleyes: Hard to access any place on the net without running into one of them these days.

Cmon dude, did you expect an ML to be anything other than a worshipper of power and oppression? ;)

[Erratus]

Obs' idea is interesting, but I think that bullying is too extreme as a form of social pressure. Social pressures obviously exist, and push us to conform to our culture. But to use the extreme physical and emotional pressures that come with bullying does not often lead to conformity. And even when it does, controlling children like that seems a bit of a difficulty. The system of simply ignoring someone who acts annoyingly and refusing to grant them their social fill is a much more gentle and successful way of leading others to conform. I'd like to provide some citations for this, but I learned this during my sociology class. I might try to dig stuff up if I get the time.

I was bullied and while yes, there was a period where I tried desperately to conform, that didn't last. And even when during, I was not behaving like one should for healthy relations. When someone gave me positive attention I considered it a great prize and something that I needed to thank them for greatly. I would do so with my time, labor, and any goods I came across. I basically became the ***** of whoever gave me a glance. This is not healthy and usually that situation does not rectify itself.

In my case I had the compete opposite result. I decided that all the other kids that bullied me (or passively watched me get bullied) were complete fuck faces. I gave up on acting normally and making friends. To this day I still don't see friendship and close ties as something needed. If I have friends that is good, but if I don't that is fine too. Basically, no incentive to conform to make ties, which is the complete opposite of what Obs was saying.

[Nox]

From my experience, people bully because they are bored and, believe it or not, making fun of other people is fun.

If you don't believe me, think about the situations you've been in before where you've been bullied/seen someone get bullied.

[Revolution starts with U]

One year I wasn't allowed to walk home from school anymore because my principle said I was a bully (I walked home anyway, I just went out the back door instead of the front :cool:). I was floored. I didn't think I was a bully. I certainly wasn't taking people's lunch money or anything. I just thought I was having fun. I still don't really know what made me a bully...
I guess it's just that most people will cowtow to life, and others won't. So, when people will do what you say, I guess it is hard not to take advantage of that. I never even realized what I was doing... I just thought I was popular and respected :rolleyes:

[Nox]

How do bullies choose their victims, especially if the victims are not small or skinny? Then what gives the bully the courage in such cases? Could it be a nice face which makes the bully think such nice faces won't react?

It's all to do with how socially confident you are, bullies pick on the people who they think are the least likely to fight back based on their mentality; their physicality has surprisingly little to do with it.

[Nox]

One year I wasn't allowed to walk home from school anymore because my principle said I was a bully (I walked home anyway, I just went out the back door instead of the front :cool:). I was floored. I didn't think I was a bully. I certainly wasn't taking people's lunch money or anything. I just thought I was having fun. I still don't really know what made me a bully...
I guess it's just that most people will cowtow to life, and others won't. So, when people will do what you say, I guess it is hard not to take advantage of that. I never even realized what I was doing... I just thought I was popular and respected :rolleyes:

That's a very good point, most bullies aren't aware of how much their actions hurt other people, to them it feels like they're just joking around...

[Obs]

And look what happened to you. You're equally as awkward but learned how to mask the impulses, became an insecure irascible manchild that uses fanboy terms like "white knight" to project his inner problems onto other people and generally act like a prick to everyone in the hopes that they'll think you're badass and maybe respect you.

What you hoped to prove your case proved exactly the opposite. This is exactly the type of broken, emotionally-crippled people bullies create.

And I keep wondering where the fuck all these dipshit ethugs and trolls keep coming from and taking up valuable bandwidth? :rolleyes: Hard to access any place on the net without running into one of them these days.
Dude, you just joined, you don't know me, and frankly, you're not nearly as good at insulting people as I am, so if you'd be willing to stay on topic when we're actually having a discussion (a rare luxury on this site, mind), that'd be great.


Cmon dude, did you expect an ML to be anything other than a worshipper of power and oppression? ;)
Well argued

[Tim Cornelis]

Bullshit, someone is annoying when they sit next to you and are poking you, not annoying just because they exist, unless your a weak minded person who wants to "hate" someone and wants to find a reason to "hate" someone, because really "hating" that person puts you above them.

Thats the whole thing about Bieber, why would anyone hate some kid making music somewhere else???

Its as idiotic as people who get mad because there are Gay people, even if it does'nt affect them at all.

I propose that if you dig deep enough you'll find its something else than them being awkward and annoying. I guarnatee you those people were not imposing themselves on you, at least not for long

A normal person see's an awkward person and feels some sort of empathetic compassion (you feel bad for them), they don't get annoyed and want to "make it known" that you consisder them "awkward," thats caused by something else, I don't think its jealosy at all, I think its just a way to boost yourself somehow, by putting other people down, or a type of zynophobia.

You can't put it on annoyance uness the people themselves are harrasing you.

I mean annoying in the sense of behavioral mannerisms.

I also found this quote:


Psychologists used to believe that bullies have low self-esteem, and put down other people to feel better about themselves. While many bullies are themselves bullied at home or at school, new research shows that most bullies actually have excellent self-esteem.

Source: http://www.byparents-forparents.com/causesbullies.html

And generally I don't recognise myself in the description probably because I was not a "bully" in the sense that I picked on a person every day, but 'only' occasionally bullied and was not the 'leader' (I'm not saying I did not do it out my own free will), but the following is food for thought for me:


Bullies are often victims of bullies themselves. According to Dr. Peter Sheras, 40% of bullies are themselves bullied at home or at school. Dr. Nathaniel Floyd's research shows that a victim at home is more likely to be a bully at school. The reason may be that when a bully watches another child appear weak and cowering, it disturbs him because it reminds him of his own vulnerability and behavior at home.

I think this is what I mean when I say I'm annoyed with behavioural mannerisms, they acted 'weak' and socially awkward and I felt like they needed to "man up" or "act normal". Though this was not the source of my bullying, throughout my childhood I had good self-esteem.

[CommieTroll]

Children who behave inappropriately, obviously.

And is there any ''inappropriate'' way to behave as a child short of someone who won't eat their mashed peas?....

[CommieTroll]

How do bullies choose their victims, especially if the victims are not small or skinny? Then what gives the bully the courage in such cases? Could it be a nice face which makes the bully think such nice faces won't react?

I'd say it's a mixture of body language and communication, maybe bullies are able to read people better than most? If so, they'd scope out a timid person before a headstrong one

[Nox]

I'd say it's a mixture of body language and communication, maybe bullies are able to read people better than most? If so, they'd scope out a timid person before a headstrong one

It's all subconscious stuff that people notice about other people.

E.g. I bet you could tell within minutes whether someone was introverted or extroverted.

[Revolution starts with U]

I can give you guys another story of how to treat a bully so as not to get bullied.

In 7th grade I was about to get expelled (not for anything major, we had this dumb demerit system and with all my talking in class and not bringing pencils and paper, I had a ton of them) so I had to go back to my old catholic school. THe first day the bully of that school Steve was feeling me out. He said "now, I might throw some things at you from time to time" and started laughing. I looked him in the eye and said "that's okay because I'll throw it right back at you."
That was it, we became "friends" sort of. I was now allowed to hang out with the popular group. You have have confidence and tell a bully that you're not going to take his shit. They're like predators. They're feeding off your spirit, and like a predator, they don't want to have to fight for their prey.
This won't work with 100% efficiency, some of the bullies will want to fight you. But for most it works. Fortunately, if you already have the confidence to do this, than you probably have the confidence to throw a punch without fearing getting hit by one; which means you have the foundation of being a good fighter.

[Tychus]

Dude, you just joined, you don't know me,

I have been lurking here since 2007, way before you joined. I've seen your posts, and all I see is someone with broken manhood syndrome with tryhard attempts to be a dick, honestly believing this will get him respect; likely behavior you're imitating from your childhood oppressors.

Sorry to burst your bubble but those assholes acted like assholes towards you only, and didn't climb up the social ladder to success by making enemies every day.


and frankly, you're not nearly as good at insulting people as I am

Insulting everyone isn't an effective way to earn respect or make friends.


so if you'd be willing to stay on topic when we're actually having a discussion (a rare luxury on this site, mind), that'd be great.

We are on topic, dude. The topic is bullying. You said you enjoyed it and that it helped you become the complete, functional tard you never were, but I see no sign of any interpersonal skills from your posts and that perhaps you are a poster boy example of a buggered up kid with problems and why the playground should be closely monitored. :p

[Obs]

some bullshit
Yeah sure, whatever, I mean I can clearly see you have some kind of vendetta against me that I can't really respond in kind to (since I don't even know who you are), and I could respond to your post, but I'm drunk and can't really be bothered. That said,


tard
are you serious

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

The idea that bullying can be positive is revolting and I seriously urge you to reconsider it, Obs.


Well, this might end up being a bit too personal, but here goes:

I have asperger's syndrome. In my childhood, this affected my behaviour in that I failed to understand social cues from my peers, thus preventing me from making friends easily. Furthermore, since I failed to effectively seek out what I had in common with my peers, my behaviour ended up being awkward and annoying. As a result, I was bullied more or less non-stop throughout my time in school, probably until about seventh grade. As a result, I gradually began to change my behaviour to one that didn't encourage others to bully me, and eventually I ended up being the person I am today - that is, one with several close friends and plenty of healthy social relationships to other people.

I too was diagnosed with Asperger's, and I have always hated bullies and still do. I don't think anyone who has ever bullied me has done me any kind of favour.

Why did you feel it was you who had to change your behaviour, and not the bullies who had to change theirs? What was it you were doing that was so horrible it deserved mental and physical abuse?

As for myself, I managed to establish close friendships by finding people who could accept me for who I am, rather than changing myself to fit into groups which punish those who deviate from the neurotypical norm with mental and physical abuse.


I've noticed that I've done better at forming and maintaining social relations than many other aspergers I've met who've been sheltered from bullying through going to special schools or classes.

I went to a special school for my primary years, and I'm still able to form friendships.


That's basically what I'm basing my position on (well, that, and a sloppy reading of a summary of some Makarenko). I realise it's kind of anecdotal and not really evidence per se, but I'd be interested in seeing if any studies have been made regarding the positive effects of bullying - so far, it seems, people have gone from mostly ignoring it straight to attacking it instantly in some kind of knee-jerk reaction.

Why should it not be attacked? Bullies don't bully people with a view to forming their victims into better people.

So what do you make of the fact that bullies can and have driven their victims to the point of suicide? Were those bullying victims who offed themselves simply incapable of meeting the Obs Standard for a Real Proper Person, and were therefore better off dead anyway? Or were they victims of a totally unnecessary process initiated by assholes concerned only with satisfying their own anti-social urges?

[piet11111]

Then what gives the bully the courage in such cases?

In my case backup as no bully in his right mind would dare to bully me without at least 5 others to watch his back.
I always made it perfectly clear i would do my absolute best to ram their heads through the wall should i get my hands on them.

Things got so far that some asshole was stabbing me with one of these in class

http://ndla.no/sites/default/files/images/passer.jpg

He ended up with the chair smashed on his head and the teacher having to pull me off him.

[Tychus]

Yeah sure, whatever, I mean I can clearly see you have some kind of vendetta against me

Not really. I focused on you as a response to your trolling and obvious projection in that "is yu-gi-oh socialist" thread. Narcissists are always the weakest links, and I focus on weakness.


that I can't really respond in kind to

Likely because you lack the inter/intrapersonal skills to deal with not hearing what you wanna hear. You are still stuck with the rigid, absolutist thinking that warranted you your diagnosis in the first place.


(since I don't even know who you are)

I'm a faceless persona on the internet, just like you, not really much else to know. I can assure you that this is our first correspondence. You aren't too important to have a vendetta against, anyway. :p


and I could respond to your post, but I'm drunk and can't really be bothered.

You are so fucking COOL, man!


are you serious

You proclaimed it, mang. :lol:

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

Agreed with obs.
I have to go to bed. So long story short, they do it to get a cheap laugh, and to degrade someone.
Another thing that causes them to bully is for people to try and do things that they are not.
Eg: buying a HUGE cup, and wearing it.
Another eg. Sagging your pants
Last eg: buying 24 hot wings and crying on they way home because you don't have enough money to buy a shirt.

[freakazoid]

I think Obs makes some valid points. It's sort of a tough love kind of thing, except they aren't doing it out of love. In general, most bullies are just ass holes, and I hate them with a passion.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Agreed with obs.
I have to go to bed. So long story short, they do it to get a cheap laugh, and to degrade someone.
Another thing that causes them to bully is for people to try and do things that they are not.
Eg: buying a HUGE cup, and wearing it.
Another eg. Sagging your pants
Last eg: buying 24 hot wings and crying on they way home because you don't have enough money to buy a shirt.

So, you think it's acceptable for someone to mentally and physically abuse other people for not fitting into their preconceptions?

What the fuck?


I think Obs makes some valid points.

What "valid points" are we talking about here? Because as far as I can tell his "points" consist of making excuses for those who put mental and physical abuse on others for being "different".


It's sort of a tough love kind of thing, except they aren't doing it out of love. In general, most bullies are just ass holes, and I hate them with a passion.

Bullying has nothing to do with love or "forming character" or any of that bully-apologist bullshit.

[ВАЛТЕР]

There's a difference between assholes and bullies.

Assholes fuck with everybody and are generally tolerable (everybody has that asshole friend who gives everyone a hard time).

Bullies however single out people they perceive as being weak. People they can get away with picking on and tormenting. A bully wont ever harass someone who they think might be capable of defending themselves.

I think bullies are just kids who thrive off of having people fear them. As long as they can get a reaction of fear out of you, then they feel that they are in control.

Many factors can lead to this type of behavior. Some may behave in such a way because of problems at home and in their private life, however sometimes the kids who are bullies are just the kids who are physically more developed. They are usually bigger and stronger and usually think this guarantees them the ability to pressure others by imposing themselves physically. Unfortunately for them, eventually they run into someone who won't put up with their shit and it results in them getting their ass kicked up and down the schoolyard.

[Искра]

I can understand people doing crazy things for money, wealth etc., but bullying fascinates me because here there is no material gain to be obtained. So why do people do it?:confused:
Cause its fun.

[Os Cangaceiros]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/staten-island-teen-bullied-suicide-family/story?id=15287910

^I think it's kind of hard to "defend bullying" when shit like that happens.

[Rafiq]

And look what happened to you. You're equally as awkward but learned how to mask the impulses, became an insecure irascible manchild that uses fanboy terms like "white knight" to project his inner problems onto other people and generally act like a prick to everyone in the hopes that they'll think you're badass and maybe respect you.

What you hoped to prove your case proved exactly the opposite. This is exactly the type of broken, emotionally-crippled people bullies create.

And I keep wondering where the fuck all these dipshit ethugs and trolls keep coming from and taking up valuable bandwidth? :rolleyes: Hard to access any place on the net without running into one of them these days.

stop getting so personal, asshole

[freakazoid]

Bullying has nothing to do with love or "forming character" or any of that bully-apologist bullshit.

That's why I said "except they aren't doing it out of love.". You even quoted it. Bully-apologists? Bahaha! :lol:

[Seth]

In order to seem strong in the eyes of the community. It's a symptom of social collectivism.

[#FF0000]

That's basically what I'm basing my position on (well, that, and a sloppy reading of a summary of some Makarenko). I realise it's kind of anecdotal and not really evidence per se, but I'd be interested in seeing if any studies have been made regarding the positive effects of bullying - so far, it seems, people have gone from mostly ignoring it straight to attacking it instantly in some kind of knee-jerk reaction.

Oh hey my internet's back.

Yeah I gotta disagree and have to say that Tychus was pretty on-target in general sense -- taking my own experiences into consideration. I was bullied like p. much everyone else, but I wouldn't say bullying made me a more functional person by any means. All it really made me do is more self-conscious. As a result, I started dressing, uh, "better", I guess, but along with it came some serious self-worth issues and insecurity.

Like Tychus said, the best it can do is get a person to mask impulses and behave in a more acceptable way, while causing what can be serious damage.

So yeah.

[RGacky3]

I mean annoying in the sense of behavioral mannerisms.


But those behavioral manerisms DON'T AFFECT YOU.


I think this is what I mean when I say I'm annoyed with behavioural mannerisms, they acted 'weak' and socially awkward and I felt like they needed to "man up" or "act normal". Though this was not the source of my bullying, throughout my childhood I had good self-esteem.

Did you honestly think that you were being altruistic? I don't think it has anything to do with that. Public humiliation never helped anyone who was 'weak' or socially awkward, I still think your lying to yourself here.

[Goblin]

i think people bully for different reasons. for me it was all about jealousy. you see, when i was in the 4th grade i thought this other kid had "stolen" my friend so i started calling him mean things. thankfully i didn`t bully him for that long and eventully the three off us became best friends:)

[NineOneFour]

Bullying is a healthy part of growing up,

No, it isn't.


one that is well utilised by skilled pedagogues to create positive peer pressure - that is, inciting to bully otherwise mentally healthy children who fail to behave properly.

What exactly is "behaving properly"? Capitalist plutocrats would like you and the rest of us to "behave properly", don't protest, don't try to upset anything, etc.


That way, the social skills and ethics of the children involved are instilled in them by their peers and equals rather than by a perceived authority figure.

Because beatings by their peers is preferable?


Of course, bullying, if left unchecked, does more harm than good. Since it's a primitive reaction designed to rid the collective of undesirables - but, considering that children are unable to correctly distinguish what is undesirable and what is merely difference, they need to be guided (subtly) into picking the right targets.

Interesting, and disgusting, that children should be "targets" for being socially awkward. Or "undesirable". Yuck.

[NineOneFour]

It depend, most of the time bullying is something you learn from abusive people in position of authority.

When a young person realize it can be morally justified to use violence to get what he or she want, this person become a bully.

Violence become for the bully a legitimate way to control the environnement he live in.

Affraid of something? beat the shit out of it. need something? beat the shit out of someone to get what you want.

A bully is basically a child who has learned the tactics of a fascist.

[Doflamingo]

A child that bullies grows up to be a fascist. A child that is bullied grows up to be a capitalist. It's a no-win situation.

[Landsharks eat metal]

Bullying is a horrible thing to do. I was bullied all throughout school, and I am now highly insecure and afraid to speak my mind. I still don't behave "appropriately", just because someone tried to bully me into it. And the bullying I experienced turned me into a bully (only for a few months) because it taught me that bullying is what should be done to other people. After about three months of bullying people simply because they were younger than me and didn't "respect me" (and almost getting in real trouble), I realized I was an asshole and became a neurotically nice person. I'm not better off at all than if I had never been bullied. (And I feel really guilty about having been a bully when I of all people should have known better.)