Bullying and Appearance

Young people, boys and girls, who are physically different to the 'perfect' images put forward in the media, in magazines and on television, can be the target of insulting and offensive language and behavior centered on the way they look.

Appearance is unlikely to be the only reason bullying happens, often it is because the targeted person seems vulnerable, e.g. has a lack of self-confidence, which will make them seem an easy target. Derogatory terms about a person's weight are in everyday use and are often targeted at those who are not overweight but may soon become to believe that they are.

Reactions to this type of bullying can often make the situation worse, as it is often the person being targeted that is encouraged to change, for instance to lose weight, rather than a recognition that it is the bullying behavior that needs to be tackled. This can make young people more self-conscious about their appearance & reinforce a lack of self-esteem and can lead to more serious emotional or mental health problems. People who experience this type of bullying often report feeling suicidal