Bullying will never be stopped because of the emotions that bring it on. The emotional conditions include unacceptance, intolerance, insecurity, unforgiveness, ego trips, retaliation, stubbornness, unfairness, favouritism, cowardice, power trips, control, jealousy, greed, hate, inferiority complex, ignorance, personality conflicts, etc., etc.
In 1944 the Rockefeller family hired the best psychiatrists, psycoanalysts, etc. to study how to control the functioning mind. They came up with three emotional conditions. All are derogatory mindsets - jealousy, greed and hate - and all are causes of bullying.
This will be ongoing as new participants are coming into play every day. Children pick up their parents' habits, actions, etc., at an early age and do the same as their parents because they do not know the difference.
Alcohol, stress, financial straits, incapacities, coping, health problems, incapabilities are everyday dilemmas and the outcome has many probabilities including bullying.
Starting to control bullying starts in the home. In discipline - be firm but fair, always show your love, keep out favouritism, give unconditional credit for the good that a child achieves, be supportive, set a good example, set standards of honesty, hard work, fairness, courage and most of all, common sense. In other words, "think."
The showing or portraying genuine love will do more than any other method, as it is ongoing. A well-disciplined and loving child with good manners is welcome in any home at any time. If they are given respect, they will respect. There is good in every person; look for it and it will be quite apparent, and dwell on the positive. Give a hug, accept them as they are and treat them as equals.
Another source of bullying comes from sibling rivalry, usually happening with brothers or sisters being born a year or two apart. This must be stopped when it first begins or the party being bullied will live a lifetime of hell, ongoing competition, one-upmanship, downgrading and even including violence with intention of getting even at any price.
I hope this will help to stabilize confrontation.
Dean Oseen
Lethbridge