Battered by bullies

Group, Jul/Aug 1998

In the movies, bullies almost always get what's coming to them. But in real life, they can wreak havoc in a young person's life for years. According to Teacher Magazine. . .

About 10 to 15 percent of kids say they're regularly bullied.

Bullying peaks in middle school.

Most kids are bullied at school-at times and places where there's little adult supervision.

Most bullying is verbal rather than physical

Boys bully both boys and girls, girls tend to bully only girls.

Girls typically use verbal and psychological bullying strategies such as gossiping or ostracizing.

Bullies tend to have troubled backgrounds-serious family problems, a history of physical or emotional abuse, and inconsistent discipline at home.

Victims tend to get blamed for the bully's behavior.

If all that isn't enough to produce ulcers in bullied kids, research shows that even when adults are present, many are reluctant to stop the bullying.