Protecting targets of bullying is a responsibility of all educators. In order to protect potential targets, educators must know the type of students bullies target. There are a number of things we can look for.
Most bullies target students who are shy and have no social support. These types of students cry easily and have no one to protect them. By targeting these students, the bullies are almost guaranteed no retaliation. In addition, bullies like to see their targets get upset and cry. For some reason the bullies get a thrill out of watching their actions make another person upset. By targeting students who cry easily, the bullies’ goals are often easily met. Once they find this easy target, they will continue to bully this child.
Bullies also like to target students who are physically different. Students who are overweight, underweight, wear glasses, and are physically unattractive will also be targets for bullies. These types of students are subjected to relentless verbal attacks. Inappropriate comments about their appearance can be made with little chance of getting caught. This is one reason that verbal bullying is so popular.
Students who are too smart or not smart enough can also be bullied. Many times it’s not cool to be the smartest kid in the school. Extremely intelligent students can be made fun of. Usually, jealousy is the reason for the abuse. The bullies only wish they could be as smart as the student they are abusing. At the other extreme, students who struggle academically are also abused. These students generally are not very confident because they know that they struggle in the classroom. Having others remind them daily of their shortcomings is a difficult thing to deal with.
I have worked in schools whose students do not have a lot of money. It’s sad to see some students wear the same shirt two or three times a week. Not wearing the “right” type of clothes is another reason students get bullied. It is sad to see students get teased because of the clothes they wear. Students whose parents have money will often ridicule the other students whose parents are not as well off. I’m a big proponent of school uniforms. This levels the playing field and prevents this type of bullying.
Unfortunately, disabled students are often targets for bullies. Special education students or students with a speech problem, for example, are easy targets for bullies. Because of their condition, many of these students don’t understand why they are being teased and abused. Special care should be given to these students to make sure they are not being bullied at school.
Victims of bullying need to be protected. Because of their “differences” they are easy targets for bullies. In order to protect potential victims of bullying, educators must know which students are likely to be targets of bullying.
