Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why don't bullies feel guilty about bullying? Why do they continue?

37 Answers
Last Updated: 04/13/2021 at 1:42am
Take the first step toward feeling better
Begin your therapy journey today and receive $25 off (use code 25OFF7C)
Moderated by

Graham Barrone, ICHP, MCBT

Counselor

Believing in and supporting you wholeheartedly, we cultivate gentle awareness for responsibility in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we foster growth, improve your

Top Rated Answers
Profile: Jake
Jake
March 21st, 2015 10:12pm
Bullies are often people who have trouble connecting with their peers; this can be due to home issues, past issues with peers, traumatic experiences, or many other factors. This does not mean that these bullies actions are okay or acceptable, though. Bullying is never acceptable in any way. It is really unfortunate that the bully may have had a bad experience in the past and that they are causing others to have negative experiences too.
Profile: Instrumentalist
Instrumentalist
January 25th, 2016 7:43am
Peer validation. A bully never bullies someone without others seeing it happen or telling others. They do it solely for the attention of others and generally people around them will laugh, or indirectly support their actions. And in return, the bully feels better about themselves.
Anonymous
April 8th, 2015 7:58am
Often people bully because they are hurting inside. Sometimes it's like a stress reliever for them, they may be abused or going through a hard time of their own, and they feel that taking it out on someone else, makes them feel better.
Anonymous
December 28th, 2015 5:40pm
Because it is their pleasure, they think that if they hurt others, they are going to feel a lot better.
Anonymous
November 30th, 2015 5:21am
They don't understand what is humanity and what is love. In fact they don't have the ability to think how you and other good people are thinking.
Anonymous
June 14th, 2016 12:37pm
Bullies don't feel guilty about bullying as their is an element of their character that means they either have sadistic/grandiose ideas about themselves. It could also be an addiction to bullying . They might have a bad upbringing .The best thing you can do is to ask the bully. Or to not allow yourself to be a victim.
Profile: LiveOn
LiveOn
September 5th, 2015 5:16am
Perhaps they are jealous of what the victim has. Many times bullying occurs due to the victim possessing something the bully wants or does not have. It could be a physical object or just a trait. The bullies are always aware that they are hurting someone and some can sense this and feel the guilt. However, their are also those who absolutely do not care. The reason why they continue is because they want that special something the victim has. Jealousy and envy could be the motivator or fuel for the bully to continue.
Anonymous
July 6th, 2015 8:35am
They are heartless. Stay on your feet, try to do your best. And prove them that they've made a mistake for underestimating you.
Profile: zaix
zaix
February 18th, 2015 6:36am
They probably do feel guilty about bullying, but it makes them feel more in control of something, which is probably why they do it.
Profile: mindfulMunchin92
mindfulMunchin92
April 11th, 2015 7:41am
Because they tend to be bullying due to their own issues, and have not considered their consequences. Often times, it seems like they are reacting to situations going on at home, or in their own lives, and just taking it out on the 'weakest link' or someone they relate to the most. They probably continue mainly because of the feeling they get from doing so. It might be them feeling horrible about themselves and relief for letting it out. Or just might be another form of emotion they are expressing to help them get away from their own problems.
Profile: GermanZebraCupcake
GermanZebraCupcake
May 7th, 2015 7:03am
Often bullying is a personal expression of guilt in other ways. For instance, they get beat at home so they come to school and punch you. They feel guilty over their own abuse so they turn it into abuse towards others. They continue usually because they are seeking satisfaction in ways they can control.
Anonymous
April 26th, 2015 7:05pm
Usually it's because of how they have been brought up. There used to being in that environment and probably had not one to tell them most there life that's it's not ok. Plus most people bully because they try to make others look bad by making there selfs look good. Ignore the bully's, if you make it clear they don't get to you they can't hurt you.
Profile: ashwarya
ashwarya
March 28th, 2016 1:57pm
Maybe because they were bullied as well at some point in their lives and now they think that it's okay to bully someone else. They feel it's justified since the same happened with them. They fail to realise the fact that an eye for an eye will only end up making the world blind. Please stop bullying.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2018 9:08pm
Bullies are sadistic and they don't feel like they are doing anything wrong most of the time. They think their target deserve to be bullied.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2017 9:58pm
Bullies might not feel guilty about their actions because they see others do it so they might think it is normal to do this. They might continue because they think that if they don't then they don't have power, they won't be cool anymore. These bullies might not even know that they are bullying because they have been doing it for so long and they see it at home they might think they aren't actually bothering anyone in a negative way.
Profile: Andrew1137
Andrew1137
February 28th, 2017 1:46am
To understand that, you need to understand some of the common reasons bullies do what they do. The first is that they were raised to believe they have a god complex. That means they believe they are above everybody else or that others are below them. In order to reinforce that for themselves, they put others down to, in essence, show the people who is on top. Another reason is insecurities the bully has. In this instance, the bully is projecting their own insecurities on others. They feel ugly so they call others ugly or they feel lonely so they call others loners. People continue to do what they do generally because that is how they feel better about themselves and it is unhealthy and does not tend to lead to a successful life. Understanding bullies is the first step to stopping the bullying.
Anonymous
October 10th, 2016 12:36pm
Because they feel powerful when they bully. Feeling high and powerful makes them feel better. Most of the times, bullies have problems on their own and they consider bullying an outlet of their sorrows. They continue because they already gathered the confidence to act strong against another (the victim of bullying). They still continue because the more they bully, the more they feel powerful - in other terms, the feel better.
Profile: Yasmina8
Yasmina8
August 16th, 2016 4:12am
It gives the fake feeling of being feared and powerful. Those bullies might not stand out as individuals in any field so them want to stand out someway else. Bulling mostly gives them insurance and a coverage for there lack of what makes them good people.
Anonymous
September 1st, 2015 7:12pm
People usually bully because they have emotional problems themselves, so in order to feel some kind of "power" they hurt others.
Profile: Chloelikesgrapes99
Chloelikesgrapes99
May 22nd, 2015 5:09am
Bullies usually have something going on in there own life and are taking that anger out on the person they are bullying, the feel better about themselves. Most bullies arent aware that they are actually bullying but sometimes in the future they do feel guilty about what they have done.
Profile: allofaavacado
allofaavacado
April 13th, 2021 1:42am
Many bullies feel suppressed guilt deep inside but their own insecurities make them continue to bully. They turn judgement on others to avoid dealing with their own insecurities. Many get stuck in this mental state and the more torment they cause to others the further they get from dealing with their own issues. We often see bullies as heartless when often times they are hurting just as much as the pain they are causing their victims. Seek help if you are ever a victim of bullying. If you see bullying speak up and let’s end bullying in all environments like school, social media, work and at home.
Anonymous
March 22nd, 2021 4:50pm
Deep down, bullies do feel guilty about bullying. While it may not seem that way, bullies are usually dealing with issues themselves. Bullies continue to bully to cope with their own issues. Of course, bullying is unacceptable, but sometimes we have to take a step back and realize everyone is human. Some people don't know how to cope with their own issues and struggles, so they take it out on someone else. It's important to educate people how to manage their emotions. It's also important to educate people on bullying and how to become a bystander in situations. Bullying is never the answer.
Profile: CharmingSoul13
CharmingSoul13
May 8th, 2015 11:43pm
I think bullies tend to push down any guilt they might feel because facing why they might be bullying is much harder than not thinking about it and just continuing to bully.
Anonymous
May 13th, 2015 4:42pm
It helps them feel better after being hurt at home. They think that they are being funny and that they need to hurt others to help themselves.
Profile: RyanBee
RyanBee
September 12th, 2017 1:34pm
For some people bullying is a way for them to feel like they are better and stronger than the people they bully. Sometimes they don't feel guilty because they don't see what they're doing as a problem. It makes them feel powerful, so they keep doing it.
Profile: LittleMissJeepher0179
LittleMissJeepher0179
November 23rd, 2015 4:55pm
Because they have something hurting them inside and they feel hurting someone else may make them feel better.
Profile: blissfulSky35
blissfulSky35
July 13th, 2015 2:58pm
I think Bullies bully because it improves their self-esteem that people are scared of them and they feel they are in control of people.
Profile: Molentra
Molentra
August 27th, 2015 7:36am
Some might feel guilty, but keep going because it makes them feel better about themselves. Others might be personality disordered and therefore lack empathy.
Profile: Mogsyt
Mogsyt
April 29th, 2015 7:07pm
it makes themselves feel better, so in their mind, why should they feel guilty? its a hard thing to understand, sometimes they have problems that they take out on others
Profile: compassionateCat90
compassionateCat90
September 3rd, 2015 2:48am
There's the possibility that they do feel guilty about their actions. In addition to feeling in control or having power, they may have either been bullied in the past or are currently being bullied maybe by an older sibling at home and if they were never taught that it's not ok, they don't know any other way to act. It can be a difficult situation for the bully and whoever is getting bullied. As long as no one explains to them why it's wrong and what the consequences could be in a way they'll understand, they continue because they have yet to learn any other way to cope