Girl bullies vs boy bullies: the different types of bullying
What are the key differences between the way girls and boys bully or experience bullying?
• Subtle. With girls, bullying tends to be subtle. It’s more likely to involve social bullying tactics such as ostracism, alienation, and rumor-spreading than face-to-face verbal bullying.
• Premeditated. Girls are more likely to engage in premeditated bullying, whereas with boys, bullying tends to be more opportunistic.
• Psychological or emotional bullying. With boys, bullying is more likely to be physical. Some boys like the status that comes with getting involved in fights. Girls are more likely to be involved in surreptitious and psychological bullying (such as hurting feelings) rather than physical bullying.
• Boys and girls. Girls may be bullied by both other girls and boys. Boys, in contrast, are more often bullied only by boys.
When bullying is physical, adults tend to react quickly. With a girl bully, because the bullying is more likely to be psychological, it can be harder to spot – but it’s just as important to take action.