Is it possible to not realize that you're being bullied at the time? Like you look back years later and realize you were bullied and just accepted it as normal or expected behavior at the time?

I was being bullied from the ages of 10-15 and I didn't realise it until just last year, at the time I thought it was just what everyone did, and I was always told that children will be mean sometimes, so I brushed it off to just being children. 2 years ago a became lead peer mentor for my school, and hearing other stories and going through the training, I began to unspderstand that it wasn't just children being mean, I was actually being bullied for so many years. So yes, I think it is very possible not to realise you are being bullied, it's easy to get caught up and not pay attention because you are so worried about losing those people.

Of course. I've seen it happen where kids passed harassment off as playful banter. What they didn't realize is these people hated their guts. I eventually led them to a solution and they got help from the school's administrator.

That happened to me, actually. So it's possible. Before I didn't think I was being bullied. I didn't realize that it was bad, what they were doing to me. But now that I look back to it, I realized that it was bullying. But it's not an issue to me anymore, 'cause I'm friends with that person now. :)

Yes, that's entirely possible. Often when things are actually happening to us we have no perspective on them. But when we look back in hindsight, it can become a lot clearer. When we are bullied we play the "victim", and the "victim" will often blame things on themselves, or the situation, or even deny that there is anything wrong. When we stop being the "victim", it's a lot easier to find the root cause of the problem.

Yes. Take it from someone who knows. I was bullied by one of my roommates for the longest time, and I didn't realize it until much later. Often times, it takes stepping back from a situation to be able to figure out exactly what's going on. Not all bullying is up in your face, you know? A lot of it can be more subtle, and that's not exactly easy to figure out, especially when you're right in the thick of it.

I believe so. An example that I could come up with is a situation in which the bullies were saying certain mean things without you being aware that it's bullying. Certain abusive behaviors considered normal, such as verbal or physical abuse in the army, for example, is still bullying despite the fact that they are widely accepted. Also, all things are subjective: What some view as bullying may not be viewed as such by others. Use your judgment.

I certainly have! I was bullied by a group of friends and when talking to a different friend about it they said "oh that's just normal, they're your friends they're supposed to make fun of you!". That's not the case! If you ever feel uncomfortable with somebody or with a group, it is perfectly fine to walk away. Put yourself first and find better people! :)

It IS possible....anything is possible :) However... well honestly maybe you were so flexible about it you didnt notice and that is okay. Dont dwell on it. because it is in the past. Plus, those happier memories are better than sad and dark ones. You had it better than some others. Be the nice person you can be.

Yes, it is really possible. I hail from India where these terms are not that common I mean not even in our local language. People are so concentrated on focusing with studies and stuff that they don't really get anything else than studies. Parents say, there's no difficulties other than studies, not even simple diseases leave alone these psychological problems. So, lot of people here just ignore bullying, they don't even care about it. Whoever is bullied they just accept it as normal behavior, as the question goes, and they go on. Honestly if I hadn't been to 7cups I wouldn't have never known bullying, so I now realize what those pranks meant, what those laughs at my back meant and how deeply it had affected my mind and that of so many children around here, like a hidden viper!

I used to be convinced I was the problem & deserved however I was treated because they were family. I didn't identify it as bullying at first because they were suppose to be the loving people who support you and what they did was "out of love" and "normal" and "doing it to protect you". (Also, going against an authority figure was a sin as a kid.) Now I realize it was a sign of control and jealousy. Utilizing "family" masquerading as genuine compassion is the worst. Robbed me a lot of self-esteem and youth and took a long time to build myself up again. A family does not mean automatic caring relationships who have your best interests. Sometimes its manipulation on the gullible and naive for power. You don't owe them anything.