ABSTRACT

Stocker and Youngblade (1999) emphasize the importance of family relationships in helping children develop the skills necessary for positive peer interactions. They argue that because the family is where the child first sees and experiences relationships, it is through the family that the child will learn what to expect in relationships, how to behave in relationships, and the interpersonal skills to be used in relationships. As seen in previous chapters, research indicates clear differences in the characteristics and behaviors of bullies (those who bully others), victims (those who are victimized by others), bully-victims (those who both bully and are victimized by others), and children not involved in bullying. Thus, it is likely that at least some of the characteristics that predispose children to becoming victims or bullies develop before the child enters school and that some of these characteristics are developed through experiences within the family. This chapter will examine the parents and siblings of children involved in bullying and will highlight several theories which explain the link between family characteristics and school bully involvement.