Topic > The causes and effects of bullying in schools - 1215

But what makes one child a target and another not? Huggins (2016) seems to have an explanation. He compiled a list of what can put a target on a child's back. Being different is the number one reason. Being different can mean anything from a person's weight to the outfit they chose to wear that day or the hairstyle they wore. Another cause of bullying can be not having many friends. Without an abundance of friends, one might assume that there is something wrong with that person and thus make them an easy target. If someone really has something wrong with them, such as a mental or physical disability, this can make them even more likely to be made fun of, especially if they appear weak (Huggins, 2016). On the other hand, if a kid has all the same advantages and disadvantages as the bully, he probably won't be picked on. The phrase “Choose someone your size” comes to mind. Bullies like to target someone they perceive as inferior to them or smaller than themselves, because it is easier and, for them, more satisfying. As a result of all the reasons listed, children may develop problems in their lives. Often, a targeted child may develop concentration problems and have difficulty learning in school (Jan & Husain, 2015). This makes sense because they will likely spend all day worrying about what will happen next instead of focusing on school work. While decreased concentration is one of the most common effects of bullying, more serious problems can develop. Someone who is bullied may be more likely to skip school, affecting their academic performance immensely. It can also lead to depression and more seriously suicidal thoughts or actions (Rao and Simkiss, 2008). It can be easy to focus only on bullies and bullied kids, but more people are affected