In to that, bullying is also caused by peer pressure. Nowadays, bullies are popular and are liked by the majority of their peers around. Therefore, bullies do not want to be disliked. In fact, bullies with high popularity have the pressure to keep up that image of themselves (About). Furthermore, according to Craig and Pepler’s study, peer-pressure to strive for social acceptance can lead to bullying. According to studies, bullies normally make friends easier than individuals who do not bully others. Bullies usually have at least a small group of friends or clan who support and encourage them in bullying others. The peer pressure to accept people in life. In the need and pressure to be accepted by others, individuals will do things that they would not usually do to other to be accepted. For example, if a group normally bullies, then an individual who do not bully but wants to be accepted as a part of the group may feel a great deal of pressure to start bullying.
Mental behavior is one of the main causes of bullying. It involves an imbalance of power and strength as most of the bullies are physically aggressive and hot-headed. When bullies feel powerless and afraid, they are much more likely to be aggressive, therefore they will always want to feel powerful and in control. According to Catherine Bradshaw, “this provides them with a sense of power.” They want to be dominant and to be more noticeable to others (Marshall). They may not even understand how wrong their behavior is. Most of the bullies, see their own behavior as justified, they view violence in a positive way. As an example, bullies find satisfaction when causing an injury or suffering on others. Moreover, bullies are normally periodically emotional. They were once victims of bullies before. Based on Dr. Peter Sheras research, around 40% of the bullies were bullied before (National Institutes of Health). This is because whenever a bully watches another individual that appears weak, it disturbs his mind because it reminds him of himself causing him to take revenge on individuals weaker than him.
Family issues are the main risk factors for bullying. According to Olweus, bullies normally live in homes situation where there is a lack of warmth and little monitoring from their parents. By receiving attention and warmth from parents, children tends to understand feelings of connectedness and empathy better as compassion and empathy seem to be bullies main weakness. In addition, discipline also does contribute to bullying. Some parents might approach discipline differently causing their children to be able to get away with bad behaviors. Parents might also be a little too permissive in their daily life causing them to be unable to set limits on their children's behavior. As an example, since an early age, bullies can do whatever they want without any clear consequences and discipline (St. Clair). Last but not least, individuals who grow up with harsh discipline do not always understand the reasons behind the strictness, so they feel threatened and perceive the way they are treated as abusive and bullying (Baras). Often, individuals that grown up with harsh discipline is not aware that, although they may be softer than their parents were, they are still bullying other individuals.
Bullying is a serious matter that can affect the ability of students to progress academically and socially (Banks). Peer pressure, mental behavior, and also family issues are the main causes of bullying. As Richard L. Gross said, “We are all either bullies, bullied, or bystanders.” Therefore, through good comprehensive intervention plan involving everyone, there could be a reduction in bullying.