Study finds few links between socioeconomic status and bullying

Contrary to some common assumptions about bullying, a  study has found that socioeconomic status is not one of the primary reasons to explain why a child becomes a bully.

Researchers from the University of Warwick have completed the first methodical analysis of the relationship between socioeconomic status and bullying to reveal that there is no significant correlation.

The report, published in the American Journal of Public Health warns policy makers against believing that bullies are most often children from less privileged backgrounds. The examination of 28 studies found that there was no significant correlation to suggest that there is a link.

Even those with the highest socioeconomic statuses were found to be only 2% less likely to engage in bullying. In fact, the evidence lent towards showing that those from lower socioeconomic levels were more likely to be the victims.

Rather than looking at the background of a child to find the answers to why they become a bully, the researchers suggest that bullying is motivated by what a child stands to gain out of intimidation in their present environment.

One third of children are involved in bullying. This social epidemic is not confined to childhood school, and can lead to lifelong health and social problems.

Bullying is thought to be prolific because the offenders benefit socially by asserting their dominance and therefore being elevated within the hierarchy of their peers. The actions of those at the top of the hierarchy are less likely to be noticed by teachers as they adopt a subtle, controlling role.

Neil Tippett explains: “This hierarchy is familiar to us all from our own school days. In my view, so long as the rewards exist for bullies in the form of social status, it is difficult to make bullies to change their behaviours as there is little incentive for them to do so.”

As long as the bullies remain popular and powerful because of their abuse of their peers, the bullying culture will continue. Efforts to curb bullying must therefore be aimed at finding a new way to fulfil the desire children have to feel important and have a level of prestige among their classmates.

Neil Tippett goes on to say that: “We need to think of ways to channel the abilities of bullies into prosocial activities where they can use their popularity and leadership qualities to benefit themselves and others.”