Want to know all the bullying myths and facts? Here are all the truths and lies about bullying that you need to know.
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Sadly, many people still believe myths about bullying, bullies, and victims. Therefore, in this post, you will learn about bullying myths and facts so you can tell the truth from the lies.
Once you learn all these points, you will be able to stand up to bullying with confidence when someone gaslights you with one of these myths.
This post is all about bullying myths and facts, so you can debunk them with confidence and protect your self-esteem.
Bullying myths and Facts
Here are all the myths.
1. Victims are weak.
Fact: Wrong! Too many people think that victims of bullying are weak. They aren’t. Victims of bullying may have vulnerabilities. But they aren’t weak.
It’s the bullies who are weak. And it shows in how they pick their victims. Bullies never randomly choose their targets. They select those who are most vulnerable.
You see? They would never try to bully anyone of equal power. What if the person fights back and buries them where they fall?
Therefore, bullies won’t take that risk. They go after low-risk victims – people who are safer to abuse.
2. Victims are losers.
Fact: Victims are not losers. Many of them are multi-talented. Lots of victims are star achievers and performers. And the reason bullies target them is that they’re jealous of their success.
Therefore, many people suffer bullying because they’re exceptional. And they threaten the bullies’ power and superiority.
Put another way, high-achieving victims outshine bullies. So, they naturally provoke jealousy. And bullies will pull out all the stops to make them pay for it.
You see? Bullies hate to be beaten at anything! If you outdo them at something, they will get back at you for it. I guarantee it.
Bullying Myths and Facts:
3. Victims Deserve Bullying.
Fact: Not true! Nobody deserves bullying. Ever! When you’re being bullied, you’re in the fight of your life.
And sadly, many people think that if you’re bullied, you must have done something to deserve it. And it’s because they believe that “good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people.”
However, this is one of the biggest lies ever told. Bad things happen to good people all the time. In fact, it’s the good people who suffer the most.
And the sooner we realize this, the sooner we will be compelled to help victims.
4. Bullies are Brave.
Fact: Nope! They’re the exact opposite. Bullies are chumps! They’re bluffs! Blowhards! Windbags! They’re only good at hiding it. Why? Because, again, they select targets who pose no risk to them.
Bullies can’t stand against an equal.
For example, they always pick those they think are slow, those with mental disabilities. They may bully people with autism.
Moreover, bullies may target those with hearts of gold, who would never hurt a fly. They also go after people who are quiet and reserved.
School bullies may target children with physical flaws- those who are skinny or heavy. They may also bully kids who wear eyeglasses or braces.
Or, they may target kids who have been disfigured from car accidents or house fires. Again, they would never go toe-to-toe with someone of equal power because they know that they’d get served!
Therefore, bullies are cowards simply because they target those they think are weaker. Why? Because they know that weaker people are less likely to fight back.
Bullying Myths and Facts:
They get their power from others.
Also, bullies run around in packs. They hide their cowardice behind groups of flying monkeys. You will never catch a bully alone because a bully doesn’t know how to stand on their own.
So, their wingmen have to back them up and do their dirty work. Realize that bullies get their power from an entourage.
Without their errand boys to cover them, they would be powerless.
5. Bullies are Strong.
Fact: Wrong! Bullies are weak. They only appear strong because they like to posture in public. They only hide their weakness behind loudness and false bravado. Understand that bullies are constantly trying to prove to everyone how tough they are.
And they do this by picking on someone they think is weaker than them. Real strength is quiet. It doesn’t posture. And it doesn’t boast.
Someone who is truly strong has nothing to prove. Therefore, they never announce their strength. Real strength doesn’t need an announcement because, if it’s there, it’s there.
Moreover, people who feel weak feel threatened by someone who is smart, competent, or well-liked. Therefore, they will bully that person to tear them down.
And why do they target someone who has these qualities? It’s because they hold a mirror up to them, forcing them to see their own pathetic reflections. Again, weak people will try to bring you down when you outshine them.
But, isn’t that what bullies do?
Strong people don’t have to do this. Why? Because they’re confident and they know their strengths.
Bullying Myths and Facts:
6. Bullies are Cool.
Fact: They may seem so. But, they’re not the least bit cool. They’re sick. They’re demented, and they’re sadistic!
The fact is that most people are ignorant. Especially young people. They think that being cruel is being cool.
However, by being cruel, bullies only reveal their own lack of character. Therefore, the meanness is only a reflection of their own cowardice, insecurity, and arrogance.
7. Bullies are Exciting.
Fact: Really? You may think they are when they’re riding roughshod over someone else? But will you feel the same if they ever set their sights on you?
8. Bullies are In Control.
Fact: Are they? Most bullies have no control over their own lives. Why do you think they try so hard to control yours?
Realize that someone who is truly in control won’t try to take over your life. Why? Because they will be so busy improving themselves that they won’t care to target you.
9. Being Bullied is a normal part of childhood.
Fact: No. Being bullied is not a normal part of childhood. It never was. Again, many kids go their entire childhoods without being bullied.
Being bullied is a hell that few can comprehend. It hurts people so deeply that it stays with them for years. In fact, some people battle the resulting trauma for the rest of their lives.
Being bullied is a scourge victims never ask for. No one deserves that unless they’re a serial murderer or rapist.
In fact, most serial murderers and rapists don’t get bullied; they’re the bullies. Why? Because they prey on those weaker than them.
Bullying Myths and Facts:
10. All kids go through bullying.
Fact: Again, no, they don’t. Many people were fortunate enough not to have suffered any bullying while growing up.
The reason people tell victims this lie is to normalize bullying and get them to shut up about it. The sad reality is that, if you’re being bullied, most people don’t want to hear about it.
11. Bullying makes you strong.
Fact: That depends on the individual victim. Yes. Some victims get stronger. However, they do so because they’ve been taught to defend themselves.
However, others have been trained to accept bad behavior, especially those who suffer abuse at home. Therefore, bullying in school or at work only tears them down more.
12. Bullying Builds character.
Fact: No, it doesn’t. It suppresses it. In fact, it stifles it!
Bullying instills fear in its victims. It makes them afraid to relax and be themselves. People don’t feel safe when they’re targeted by bullies.
In fact, being bullied can cause victims to shut down. And they bury parts of themselves for their own safety.
As a result, bullying can lead to low self-esteem and poor mental health. It’s impossible to build character when it’s being suppressed by bullies.
Bullying Myths and Facts:
13. ignore bullies, and they will go away.
Fact: No, they won’t. Ignoring bullies only makes them think you’re scared. So, they’ll only target you more.
Also, bullies want your attention, and if they can’t get it, they will escalate the bullying. Some see your ignoring them as “disrespect.” Therefore, they’ll likely retaliate.
The best thing to do is to respond calmly. But never react.
14. Bullying is Natural Selection.
Fact: This is a load of bullshit. It may be a dark part of human nature, but a reason doesn’t equal an excuse. Bullies and their enablers often use this line as an excuse for their rotten behavior.
Moreover, bullying supporters say this to normalize this despicable and pathetic behavior.
If anyone rattles off any of the above lines when you speak out against bullying, counter those statements. And do it with conviction!
15. The best way to deal with bullies is to Kill them with kindness.
Fact: No. That’s the wrong thing to do. You must realize that bullies are predatory by nature. They see kindness as weakness.
Bullies only understand strength and power. They respond only to consequences, not to politeness.
Therefore, you must communicate with your bullies in the only language they understand. You must meet them exactly where they are.
In short, impose consequences when they bully you. It’s the only way they’ll leave you alone.
Bullying Myths and Facts:
16. Just give them what they want, and they’ll leave you alone.
Fact: Oh no, they won’t! Bullies can’t be appeased. Ever! It doesn’t matter what you say or do to satisfy the bullies.
If you submit to them, your bullies may go away and leave you alone for the time being. But they’ll always come back for more.
You cannot submit enough. The more you submit, the more your bullies will hound you. Why? Because it’s how they get what they want from you. So, why would they stop?
Sometimes, you have to fight before your bullies will leave you alone. The only way to stop being bullied is to stand up for yourself. And if that means putting up your fists, so be it.
In conclusion
The only way you’ll stop being bullied is to dispel the myths and know the facts. Then act on them. In other words, stand up to them. It’s the only way you’ll earn respect!
In closing, realize that your bullies want you to believe these myths. They do not want you to know the facts.
Moreover, supporters of bullying also want you to believe it because they like to side with bullies. Therefore, do your research. Once you learn the truth your bullies try to hide, you’ll feel more confident in yourself. I promise!
This post is all about bullying myths and facts so that you can use the knowledge to empower yourself.
Related posts you’ll enjoy:
1. Bullying Myths: 5 Widely-Held Beliefs about Bullies and Victims
2. How to Stop a Bully: 9 Powerful Hacks You Can Use
3. How to Stop a Bully from Bullying You: 7 Powerful Strategies
4. How to Defend Yourself from Bullies: 5 Powerful Strategies
