Over recent weeks almost every time we turn on the television or open a newspaper we have been confronted with reports on bullying. It even went so far as to be used in an attempt for political gain. Perhaps the instigators should have looked up the definition before proceeding. The dictionary states a bully as being ‘a cruel oppressor of the weak’. If you are going to take up this role it is a good idea to ensure your victim is not nearly as strong as yourself.

Did You Know?

There has always been bullying but until now it was generally related to the younger members of Society taking advantage of anyone who had a particular weakness. The bully was defined as a blustering, overbearing noisy fellow who got his pleasure by intimidating and abusing someone with a known frailty. It could be a physical or mental ailment or something to do with their family’s Social standing or if there was nothing else, even the colour of their hair or their accent was enough. When the least sign of vulnerability had been identified these people could always find a way to terrorise and torment a victim.

Unfortunately, because bullies were usually big and physically strong, they invariably had a good deal of support from others around them whose main concern was to ensure they did not become the chosen victim. These practices were commonplace in most school playgrounds and it was surprising how the children that were picked on tolerated the abuse and did nothing about it. No doubt most of them were too frightened to say anything because they knew that if they did, very few of their companions would be brave enough to support them.

However, most bullies have always had weaknesses. That is why they act in such a way towards other people. Their most common frailty is cowardice. If the smallest victim had enough spirit to retaliate straight away and perhaps give the bully a sharp kick in the shins or a knee somewhere else, he might receive a hit in return but he can almost guarantee that this particular overbearing fellow would turn his attentions onto someone else and be unlikely to trouble him again.

After their school-days there is still a role for these bullies. Having got away with it at school they are always on the lookout for a suitable fall guy. These individuals, some of whom were and possibly still are hired to intimidate and frighten people to do or procure something when they have no wish to, still find a place in our Society. They now have lots more ways to contact vulnerable people and unfortunately, for many of them it seems to have become a business.

Perhaps we now need a new definition for bullying or should all categories of intimidation, like striking fear into someone or influencing them with threats or violence, remain under this heading? No doubt at least some of those guilty of such actions first practised the role while they were at school where there is evidence that it still goes on. In those early years we all quite rightly, always had sympathy for the victim.

Would we be able to assess the situation better if we also looked into the background of the aggressor? – What sort of home do they come from? – Do they act the same way at home or are they suppressed? – Are they from a single parent or broken family? – Have they themselves been bullied? – What are their ongoing ambitions? – Is there any way they can be helped?

In days gone by boys would often fight in the playground, sometimes over the most trivial things. On other occasions it might be over a more serious issue like the pretty girl in the Third Form. If at any time they were caught in the act they were punished. A few days later, it was not unusual to see those same two boys playing happily together as if it had never happened. From an early age the majority were able to sort out the problems they had at school themselves and never involved their parents. They seemed to easily forget all about them when they were at home with their family. Nevertheless, bullying did go on.

Perhaps, even at a very young age, for some children our animal instincts predominate and they are already looking for an opportunity to move up the ranks and become a leader. Then again, it could be they are sadly missing something in their life that they see others have.

Whatever the reason, if we are to have any hope of stopping the prevailing harassment being inflicted on many of our citizens by some unscrupulous individuals, a remedy must be found to cure all forms of so called bullying early in the lives of all our youngsters.