Bullying vs. Conflict

Conflicts Can Be Resolved, Bullying has to be Reported!

Bullying is different than conflict. Not all disagreements and fights are bullying. Conflict is a normal part of human interaction and arises frequently in our day to day lives. Part of learning to be independent and grown up is learning how to deal with and respond appropriately to conflict at home, at school, and in your community.

Bullying is:

• A repeated form of mistreatment where the victim cannot defend himself
• An imbalance of power – usually one person is either bigger or older than the other or has a higher social standing (is more popular) and uses this against the other person
• Usually repeated acts of harassment but doesn’t have to be
• A form of abuse

Conflict is:

• All parties have equal power to solve the problem
• All parties have an equal interest in the outcome
• Children are of equal size, age or status
• Conflict is not the same repeated encounter – it usually happens once.
• A conflict can be resolved by talking or working things out together or with help from an adult.

• < Prev