Why do some people bully others and how does one ultimately deal with bullying?

In response to our HowToLearn.com newsletter with our expert on bullying, Dr. Kathy Seifert, is replying today to a question from Sylvia.

When you ask any expert at HowToLearn.com they reply on this blog – see all experts here.

The facts are that every 7 minutes a child is bullied.

Nearly 85% of bullying goes without intervention and hundreds of thousands of children miss school every day for fear of bullying.

Everyone learns ways to get what they need and overcome barriers.

Most children learn to use negotiating, asking, waiting for what they want, and sharing with others to get what they need in life.

This learning starts around 3 years of age and is mostly finished by age 6 or 7.

When children live in a household where the adults solve their problems through violence, belittling, and bullying each other, the children may not learn these other ways to get their needs met.

Therefore, they continue to use the only method they know, intimidating or hurting someone else, to get what they need.

They also may have not developed empathy for others. This can happen if a child is abused, neglected, or repeatedly exposed to violence at a young age (5 or less).

Thanks for your great question and there is more on my website below about how to deal with bullying.

Dr. Kathy Seifert

Dr. Kathy Seifert is one of the nation’s leading experts on the topic of bullying and violence. She is the author of How Children Become Violent and regularly appears on CNN and other television networks talking about how to prevent bullying.