Pretty girls susceptible to bullying

Females who consider themselves pretty are likely to be targeted for bullying or victimisation, according to a study.

Females who consider themselves pretty are likely to be targeted for bullying or victimisation, according to a study.

The study, which identified the kind of high school students being victimised, also looked at emotionally damaging scenarios such as receiving nasty notes, social exclusion, having rumours spread about them, and threats of physical harm.

Lindsey Leenaars of the University of Alberta analysed data from a questionnaire filled up by 2,300 students aged 12-18 on how they rated their attractiveness, their sexual activity, their friendships and school social problems.

Leenaars found females who viewed themselves as attractive had a 35 percent increased chance of being indirectly victimised.

Conversely, for males who perceived themselves as good looking, their risk of being bullied decreased by 25 percent.

Leenaars also found older teens (aged 16-18) were at a 35 percent increased risk of being victimised if they were sexually active.

Leenaars says this information could be used to raise awareness amongst parents, teachers and counsellors, adding it would be helpful when schools work on anti-bullying programmes.