Which gender is reported to bully more often and also to be more likely to become victims of bullying?

The assertion that boys are reported to bully more often and are also more likely to become victims of bullying is supported by various studies in gender and communication research. Boys typically engage in higher levels of physical aggression and direct bullying behaviors compared to girls, who may more often engage in relational aggression, such as social exclusion or gossip. Additionally, boys are often socialized in ways that encourage confrontational behaviors, which can lead to both being aggressors and targets in bullying situations.

Moreover, research has shown that boys are not only involved in bullying others but are also frequently victims themselves, particularly in environments like schools where competition and dominance are emphasized. This dynamic can lead to a cycle of violence where boys both perpetrate and suffer from aggressive interactions.

In contrast, while girls do experience bullying and may also engage in bullying behaviors, they often do so in different contexts and manners, which may not be as evident as those among boys. Understanding these patterns is important for addressing bullying in educational settings and creating effective interventions tailored to different gender dynamics.