National Bullying Prevention Month 2024: The bullying men face

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about all forms of bullying. When we think about bullying, we often focus on children or teens, but bullying can affect people of all ages and genders, including men. Bullying isn’t just about physical fights or name-calling in school. It can happen in workplaces, online, or even in social groups.

Here are some common forms of bullying that men may face:

Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying is a major issue for many men. This can come from bosses, coworkers, or even clients. It may include:

• Being constantly criticised for no reason.
• Being excluded from meetings or projects.
• Having work stolen or credit taken by someone else.
• Being humiliated in front of others.

For men, the pressure to stay strong and not show weakness makes it hard to talk about these issues. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying affects men just as much as women. It happens through social media, emails, or even text messages. Some examples include:

• Receiving hateful comments or threats online.
• Having personal photos or information shared without permission.
• Being targeted by online trolls.

Men, especially younger men, can feel pressure to stay quiet and “take it,” which can make the effects of cyberbullying even worse.

Emotional Bullying

Men may also face emotional bullying, which can be harder to recognise. This kind of bullying focuses on hurting someone’s feelings or making them feel worthless. Examples include:

• Constant teasing about looks, intelligence, or personality.
• Manipulation, like guilt-tripping or gaslighting (making someone doubt their reality).
• Being ignored or made to feel invisible in social settings.

While physical bullying is more obvious, emotional bullying can be just as damaging. It often leads to lower self-esteem and can affect relationships and mental health.

Bullying About Masculinity

A lot of men experience bullying tied to ideas of masculinity. This type of bullying may involve:

• Being mocked for not being “manly” enough.
• Being teased for showing emotions like sadness or fear.
• Pressure to conform to traditional roles, like being tough or not needing help.

This form of bullying pushes harmful stereotypes. It can stop men from expressing their true feelings or seeking support when they need it.

Sexual Bullying

Though not as often discussed, men can also face sexual bullying. This could be:

• Unwanted comments about their body.
• Sexual jokes or inappropriate touching.
• Being shamed or humiliated because of sexual orientation or performance.

This type of bullying is serious and can cause deep emotional and psychological harm.

Why Is Bullying Harmful?

Bullying, in any form, can have long-lasting effects on mental health. It can cause stress, anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. Men, in particular, may feel like they need to “tough it out” or handle things alone, making it harder for them to seek help.

What Can We Do?

If you or someone you know is being bullied, it’s important to take action:

• Speak up. Let someone in authority know what’s happening.
• Offer support. Let the person being bullied know they’re not alone.
• Encourage professional help. Therapists, support groups, or counsellors can make a big difference.

Bullying can happen to anyone, and men are not immune. During National Bullying Prevention Month, let’s take time to talk about this issue and make sure everyone has a safe space to speak up.