Are some children more likely to be bullied than others?

When, in the 1990s, children in 25 secondary schools in England were asked why some children are bullied, various reasons were given. According to their answers, the most common reason was relationship problems (63% felt this led to bullying). Although home and family background did not come out as a main issue, the way children dress was given as a cause for bullying by 17% of older children. Other reasons included failure to conform to peer pressure, race and religion and also gender. The ability (academic and sporting) of a child could also attract negative comment or worse. Simply being different in some way (such as the way you look) was regarded by some as reason enough to bully.
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Article details

D Glover, G Gough, M Johnstone and N Cartwright (2000) 'Bullying in 25 Secondary Schools: incidence, impact and intervention', in 'Educational Research', Volume 42, Number 2, Summer.
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