Everyone is a Victim when it Comes to Bullying.

    When people talk about cases of bullying, everyone realizes that the person being bullied is a victim, because it is obvious, but what is not so obvious is that the bully is also a victim.  Bullies are often overlooked in these scenarios, and are seen as the problem, when in most cases, the problem is much deeper than some kid choosing to be mean.  Oftentimes, bullies are living in broken households, suffering from mental and physical abuse from their parents, or were never truly taught how to act.  

Bullies are Made not Born 

    There are many factors that act to contribute to someone growing up into a bully.  No matter what it is specifically, these factors always stem back to the parents of the child, as they are the root of the child's long-lasting behaviors.  One example could be that the parents of a child had divorced, creating a split household, which is an emotionally damaging environment for children.  This can cause children to become more easily provoked and overall, more aggressive, especially if they are under the impression that it could be their fault somehow.  This type of behavior can also be created in children when parents abuse their children, because it causes to the child to think that violence is somehow the correct way to express themselves.  Another prominent reason for children forming bully-like tendencies is because the parents never took the time to stop their child's aggressive behaviors when they were young, allowing them to grow up as a little devil of sorts.  

    No one is born inherently as a bully, instead they are created, usually when parents neglect to properly discipline their children, allowing them to run rampant, until it eventually becomes the normal for them.  At that point, the child knows nothing besides its mean and hurtful behaviors, which makes me say that it really is a victim. 

Side Effects on Bullies

   There is much evidence to believe that bullies are impacted just as much by their own behavior as their victims.  Psychology Today, a credible site that focuses on the psychology behind human behaviors, has found that bullies, similar to the literal victims of bullying, are also at more risk to depression, developing anxiety and panic attacks, suffering from agoraphobia (the fear of leaving home), and have higher suicide rates.  As well as these life-altering effects on bullies, they also often have trouble understanding people's emotions, and will misinterpret facial expressions and social cues.  

Do People Agree with This?

    Some might object to this idea that bullies are victims in their own right, saying that anyone who is a bully has free will, the same as the rest of us, meaning that they chose to bully others and should therefore not be looked at as victims.  Admittingly, it ultimately does come down to each individual's choice whether they will bully or not, but the blame cannot be pinpointed entirely on them, because some people are products of their upbringing and were led down the wrong path from the beginning.