Why boys tend to engage in bullying behavior more frequently than girls? Evidence from China

Abstract

The issue of school bullying has captured extensive attention across various societal sectors. While the majority of existing research has concentrated on the short-term and long-term impacts of bullying on its victims, there is a notable gap in understanding the intrinsic characteristics and motivations of the perpetrators. This study, focusing on China, investigates the presence of gender disparities among school bullies and the factors that propel these differences. Utilizing data from the China Education Panel Survey, our analysis indicates that boys are more prone to engage in bullying behavior than girls. This finding is not attributed to factors such as boys’ physical strength or strained relationships with their parents, but is instead linked to their affiliations with peers who exhibit delinquent behavior and their increased exposure to violent content on social media platforms. Additionally, a heterogeneity analysis reveals that junior high school students who are non-only-children exhibit a stronger gender difference in bullying behavior. Our findings not only contribute to the existing body of literature on school bullying but also offer valuable insights for educational authorities seeking to develop strategies to reduce the incidence of bullying within school settings.