Bullying is a social issue that affects people of all ages. It is characterized by a behavior that is intended to harm another person, repeatedly, over time.

Bullying can happen in many forms, and it is facilitated by the power imbalance between the bully and the target. The power differential can be based on various factors, such as physical size, social status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and gender.

In this article, we will focus on the relationship between gender and bullying and answer the question: Who is more likely to be targeted?.

Gender Stereotypes and Bullying

Gender stereotypes are beliefs about the characteristics, roles, and behaviors that are attributed to men and women.

These stereotypes are learned from an early age through socialization, and they shape our expectations of how males and females should behave. Some of the gender stereotypes that are relevant to bullying include the beliefs that boys are aggressive and dominant, while girls are passive and submissive.

Research indicates that these stereotypes can influence the likelihood of bullying. Boys who conform to the stereotype of being aggressive and dominant are more likely to bully others, especially those who do not conform to traditional gender roles.

On the other hand, girls who conform to the stereotype of being passive and submissive are more vulnerable to bullying, especially from their female peers who are envious of their non-stereotypical behaviors.

Types of Bullying by Gender

Bullying can manifest itself in various forms, including physical, verbal, social, and cyber bullying. The prevalence of these types of bullying differs depending on gender.

Physical Bullying

Physical bullying involves using physical force to intimidate, harm, or damage property. Compared to girls, boys are more likely to engage in physical bullying.

This is partly because boys have more physical strength and are socialized to be more aggressive. Boys who are victims of physical bullying are usually targeted by other boys who want to assert their dominance or demonstrate their toughness.

Verbal Bullying

Verbal bullying involves using words to intimidate, humiliate, or hurt someone. Both boys and girls use verbal bullying, but the content and context of the bullying are often different.

Boys tend to use more direct and explicit forms of verbal bullying, such as name-calling, insults, and threats. Girls, on the other hand, tend to use more indirect and relational forms of verbal bullying, such as exclusion, spreading rumors, and gossiping.

Social Bullying

Social bullying involves using social power to hurt someone indirectly. It includes manipulating relationships, spreading rumors, tarnishing reputations, and excluding someone from a group or activity.

Girls are more likely than boys to engage in social bullying. This is because girls are trained to value social relationships and conformity, and they use social exclusion as a way to punish those who deviate from social norms.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying involves using digital technology to harass, embarrass, or threaten someone. It can take many forms, such as sending hurtful messages, spreading rumors, posting embarrassing pictures, and hacking personal accounts.

Cyber bullying affects both boys and girls, but the methods and motivations can vary. Boys tend to use cyber bullying to assert their dominance and test their boundaries, while girls tend to use cyber bullying as a way to retaliate against someone who has hurt their feelings.

Gaps in Research on Gender and Bullying

Despite the significant role that gender plays in bullying, the existing research on this topic has some limitations. Some of these gaps are:.

Lack of intersectional analysis: Most studies on gender and bullying focus on binary categories of male and female, without exploring the effects of other social identities, such as race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Limited focus on bystanders: Most studies on bullying focus on the bully and the victim, without considering the role of bystanders who witness the bullying but do not intervene.
Insufficient attention to context: Most studies on bullying rely on surveys and questionnaires that do not capture the complex dynamics of bullying in different contexts, such as schools, neighborhoods, and online platforms.

Conclusion

Bullying is a complex social phenomenon that intersects with gender in various ways. The prevalence, types, and effects of bullying differ depending on the gender of the bully and the victim, as well as the context of the bullying.

Understanding these gender dynamics is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies that address the root causes of bullying and promote gender equity.