Comparative Analysis of Bullying

Rates: LGBTQ+ and General

Population
Table of Contents

● Definition of bullying
● Factors responsible for bullying
● Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act
● Impacts and Consequences
● Comparative Analysis
Definition of Bullying
Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior characterized by an imbalance of power,
where an individual or group intentionally and repeatedly inflicts harm, intimidation, or
humiliation on another person or group. It can take various forms, including physical
(e.g., hitting, pushing, kicking), verbal (e.g., name-calling, teasing, threats), relational
(e.g., social exclusion, rumor-spreading), and cyberbullying (e.g., online harassment,
sharing embarrassing content).
Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act

Tyler Clementi, for whom the bill is named, was an 18 year-old freshman at
Rutgers University in the fall of 2010. Without Tyler’s knowledge, his
roommate streamed video footage on the internet of Tyler being intimate in
his dorm room with another male. After his roommate attempted to stream
another such interaction a few days later, Tyler ended his life.
LGBTQ+ bullying in schools takes heavy toll, reveals
Unesco report
Orinam, an all volunteer collective of LGBTIQA+

people based in Chennai. There they had an unexpected

speakers 17-year-old who, on an impulses shared

his ordeal of being bullied at school for being

“WOMANISH”. His tormentors weren’t just students

but teachers too. “If this support group hadn’t helped me,

I would have committed suicide. Now, I just want to finish

my board exams,” he said.

Transgenders share stories of prejudice
The members of the transgender community were speaking at
a programme organised by the Centre for Health and Social
Justice, which works to promote meaningful change in the
lives of the marginalised communities, and Kolkata Rista, a
transgender collective.

A transgender person had gone to a police

station to report an alleged harassment. “You
people are behind the harassment of people at
traffic signals. You are not the victim but the
perpetrator,” an officer allegedly told her.
Factors responsible for becoming a Bully
The factors that can lead to someone becoming a bully, with a focus on psychological theories and concepts such
as unconscious influences, behaviorism, observational learning, the need for achievement, defense mechanisms,
low self-esteem, identity crisis, and emotional intelligence.

1. Unconscious Influences Due to Suppressed Feelings- Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud): According to Freud,
unconscious drives and suppressed feelings can influence behavior. Children or adolescents who suppress anger,
frustration, or other negative emotions may project these feelings outward through bullying.

2. Behaviorism (Reward and Punishment)

Operant Conditioning (Skinner): Behaviorism suggests that behaviors are learned through rewards and
punishments. If bullying behavior is rewarded (e.g., gaining social status, material goods, or even attention), it is
likely to be repeated. Conversely, if it is not adequately punished, it can become ingrained.
3. Observational Learning (Bobo Doll Experiment)
4. Need for Achievement (Carl Rogers) Humanistic Psychology (Rogers): While Rogers focused more on
self-actualization and positive human potential, the need for achievement can be distorted. A child or adolescent may
bully others as a misguided way to achieve a sense of accomplishment or superiority, particularly if other avenues for
achievement are not accessible or recognized.

5. Defense Mechanisms (Freud) Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud): Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies
used to protect oneself from anxiety and psychological harm. Bullying can be seen as a defense mechanism, such as:

Projection: Projecting one's own insecurities or negative traits onto others.

Displacement: Redirecting negative emotions or impulses toward a safer target (e.g., a peer instead of a parent).

6. Low Self-Esteem

7. Emotional Intelligence
Impacts and Consequences
A. Mental health effects (depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation)

Bullying victimization has been consistently linked to adverse mental health outcomes, particularly for
LGBTQ+ individuals. Research has shown that LGBTQ+ youth who experience bullying are at a significantly
higher risk of developing mental health issues compared to their non-bullied peers.

B. Academic and professional consequences

Bullying can have significant negative impacts on the academic performance and future professional
prospects of LGBTQ+ individuals. Some of the consequences include:Higher absenteeism and dropout
rates, Workplace discrimination and challenges.

C. Long-term effects on well-being

The impacts of bullying victimization can extend well beyond the immediate experiences, with long-lasting
effects on the overall well-being and quality of life for LGBTQ+ individuals. Some of these long-term effects
include:Low self-esteem and self-worth, Social isolation and relationship difficulties, Physical health
problems and Reduced life satisfaction.
Comparative Analysis
A. Quantitative comparison of bullying rates

Studies consistently show that LGBTQ+ individuals experience bullying at significantly higher rates
compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. For example, the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 32.7%
of LGB students reported being bullied at school, compared to only 17.1% of heterosexual students.

B. Qualitative differences in bullying experiences

LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique and targeted forms of bullying related to their sexual orientation or
gender identity. This can include homophobic or transphobic slurs, ridicule or harassment for
non-conforming gender expression, and targeted cyber-bullying or social media attacks

C. Intersectionality and compounding factors

It is essential to recognize the intersectionality of bullying experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.
Individuals with multiple marginalized identities (e.g., LGBTQ+ individuals of color, those with disabilities,
or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds) may face compounded forms of bullying and
discrimination.
CONCLUSION
The comparative analysis has highlighted the disproportionately higher rates of
bullying experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals compared to the general population. The
unique challenges faced by this community, including societal stigma, lack of
acceptance, and targeted forms of bullying, exacerbate the negative impacts on
mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being.