We see them on TV most of the times. Even cartoons have them. Bullies are part and parcel of the school environment, whether we admit it to ourselves or not. We all have direct or indirect run-ins with bullies, they are already part of the society, as we know it. Because of their prevalence, bullies are portrayed in films and cartoons the way they really are in person. But sometimes, they are stereotyped in a way that is not always how they are profiled.

It is very interesting to note that the typical bullies in cartoons and in children’s and teens shows are the bulky and fat boys who often are portrayed as villains. Of course, you may argue that bullies are indeed villains because they tease and they cause harm and they make things hard for the helpless children and teens who are too soft and weak to stand up for themselves. But you should also look at the reason behind bullies’ bullying frolics.

More often than not, bullies resort to bullying because they are restless, listless, unhappy, and insecure. These negative feelings are often harbored at home. Dissatisfaction over family affairs and family relationships often distresses the bullies so much that the tendency is for them to vent out their anger on someone else. Probably because there is a need for them to feel superior and secure and powerful, so to speak.

Of course, the personal plight of bullies are not licenses for them to act the way they do. But looking at things the way the bullies perceive them is also a fresh perspective. One that is worth reckoning with, i think.

Every facet of a social sphere includes a bully. As people grow uo and mature, so does the ways and means of bullying. However, this doesn’t mean that bullying should be ignored. Even subtle forms of bullying should not be neglected because bullying is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly.

If you have a friend, a peer, or you know someone who is being bullied in school, in class, or in your social group, yet you do not know how to help him or her, here are some practical tips that can help:

1. Make friends with someone who is being bullied, sit with them at lunch or breaks.

2. If you are being or have been bullied, share your own experiences with someone who is being bullied.

3. Remind the person who is being bullied to never respond to bullying with violence.

4. Report … Report … Report bullying to your parents, school authorities, a favorite teacher, or a guidance counselor. “Ratting” or “snitching” occurs when a student tells about an inappropriate act with the idea of getting another student in trouble. “Reporting” happens when a student tells to protect the safety of another student.

5. Bear in mind that the consequences of not reporting a bully far outweigh the consequences of being called a “rat” or a “snitch.”

6. Learn to realize that we cannot stand by and see others getting hurt and we do not have to let others hurt us.

7. Tell victims that being bullied isn’t their fault and it is not something they should feel ashamed or embarrassed about.

Bullying is a repeated offense of hurting another person through words or actions. Bullying can be committed through physical and verbal means. Bullies crave control and power; hence they resort to hitting, shoving, or verbally assaulting other people.

Bullying among teens is not unheard of. Ion fact, bullying is almost a common occurrence that some parents, teachers, as well as other persons in authority tend to brush it off as trivial or petty matters that the teens would soon grow tire of. According to them, there are some things in a teen’s life that they have no control over. What they don’t realize is that bullying actually has certain adverse effects that cannot and be ignored. As a matter of fact, people who are bullied have a tendency to become depressed, have low self-esteem, lose interest in schoolwork or try to avoid attending school.

Victims of bullying are usually sensitive, quiet, withdrawn, passive, submissive and shy usually, they are the ones who have difficulties in trying to assert themselves among their peers. More often than not, they are also usually more physically weaker than their peers. Meanwhile, the bullies are often profiled as hot-tempered and/or impulsive and have a hard time following rules. They are also hyperactive and restless. Aside from this, bullies also often exhibit aggressiveness toward adults and persons in authority.

A teen who is being bullied should learn to assert his or herself by standing up to the one who bullies him or her. If the teen who is being bullied finds it hard to do this, he or she shopuld at least exercise to release his or her frustrations with regards to the bullying that is being committed against him or her. Otherwise, these negative emotions will eat him or her up inside, thus making it hard for him or her to lead a happy, healthy pre-adolescence stage in life. Talking to someone, not necessarily someone in authority, about the bullying can also help in releasing the pent-up emotions.