Bullies choose their victims wisely, targeting kids they don't like and who are less likely to be defended by their peers. These kids become frequent targets of verbal and physical attacks or other forms of abuse. What sustains these repeated assaults are cycles of retreat between pairs of children. Research indicates that approximately 10-20% of children are bullies, while 15-30% are repeatedly bullied (Salmivalli & Voeten, 2004). Bullies are both male and female, but mostly male. When boys bully, they tend to use physical and verbal attacks, but girls bombard a vulnerable classmate with verbal hostility (Pepler & Rigby, 2004). A considerable number of bullies are high-ranking youth. Some of these boys are valued for their leadership qualities or athletic ability, but most are disliked because of their cruelty (Vaillancourt, Hymel, & McDougall, 2003). Chronic victims are passive when active behavior is expected. When they are on the playground they stand around talking or drift off alone (Boulton, 1999). And when they are bullied, they reinforce the perpetrators by giving in to their demands, crying, and taking defensive positions (Boulton, 1999). Victims also have histories of resistant attachment, an overly controlling parent in child-rearing, and overprotected parenting behaviors on the part of the mother that cause anxiety, low self-level. esteem and dependence that result in fearful behavior that marks these children as vulnerable (Snyder, 2003). Biological traits, an inhibited temperament and a fragile physical appearance, contribute to victimization (Snyder, 2003). Victimization leads to adjustment difficulties that include depression, loneliness, low self-esteem, poor academic performance... halfway..." They need to be taught better ways of relating to others (Beane, 1999). ReferencesBerk, L.E. ( 2008). Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc. Bullies Choose Their Victims Wisely (n.d.) Retrieved September 12, 2011, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36036393/ns/health -behavior/t/bullies-choose-their- Victim-Wisely/Bullies - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2011, from http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-life. /153274-bullies.htmlDeHaan L., (1997). Definition of bully and its effects in schools. Bullies, 1-7 Retrieved September 12, 2011 from ttp://www2.uwstout.edu/content/lib/thesis/2002 /2002sarazenj.pdfWhy do some children bully others?*Bullies and their victims (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2011, from http://extension.unh.edu/Family/Parent/teenpubs/bully.pdf.