Bullying exists.  How can someone move on from being bullied or live with the fact that they were bullies? Many may say that bullying is a natural behaviour that can be outgrown. Others refuse to accept that their children can be bullies. While acceptance is the first step, the second is understanding what bullying is. 

Making someone feel terrible about something they do which you don't approve of is bullying. Let it be your classmates, seniors, teachers or even family members. The slightest difference in others sets the bullies off. Even if it's a positive trait likes achieving good grades or being your boss/teacher's favourite. Or even racial views such as skin color or even beliefs. The surprising part of this is that this sort of bullying is common among children from preschool throughout their high school. Progressing to high school, the bullied victims sometimes engage in harmful behaviour just to fit in. 

As adults, it's our duty to protect our youth. If the child- parent relationship had a stronger base, many would have been saved from this dreadful situation of being a bully or a victim. Of course there are ways to identify whether your child is being bullied or not. 

Signs such as frequent crying, complaints of physical symptoms such as stomach ache or headaches without any cause or unexplained bruises can all be associated with the bullying faced. There are also changes in a child's attitude like they absolutely fear the idea of school and they are negative about themselves, experiencing lowered self esteem. If these signs are observed, immediate steps should be taken. 

One of the main reasons why people become bullies is also because of self-esteem issues. Sometimes through bullying others, they get their own way which makes them more excited. Bullies think that making fun of someone is entertaining and it makes them popular. Many bully out of jealousy of the other. But all bullies are not bad people. Sometimes they are broken inside in their own way.  Maybe they are violent because they don't know how to let out their emotions.

Victims of bullying are much scarred. They lose their confidence, self-love and appreciation towards themselves as well as others. They become pessimists and often refuse to become social due to the fear of being bullied once again. As for bullies, they either live with the guilt of damaging another significant or they never realise and it becomes normal 
behavior for them. 

By Rimjhim Huda