Untrained in real morality, such people lack the intellectual conviction necessary to convince cocksure youngsters that their principles need immediate realignment. Besides, facing down one's children is difficult and time consuming. It's easier all around to rationalize their thuggish positions. Like the bullies who animate the U.S. culture wars, this boy has discovered the magic combination of threats and self-righteousness that is the key to imposing his will on others. In school as in adulthood, the threats run the gamut from promises of hurt feelings, to promises of bodily harm.
Some school bullies are satisfied with emotional manipulation.
Mocking other kids and calling them names is a time-honored method of domination because making others feel bad might make them cry, and kids who cry can be embarrassed. Along with name-calling, bullies pinch or punch other kids when the teacher isn't looking, step on feet or hands at recess, steal personal items, and violate personal space. When it comes to name-calling, the best response is often no response. After a couple of months of name-calling fails to produce the desired result, bullies often move on to softer targets. To get them to move on, the victim has to first examine his conscience to determine whether there is any truth in their remarks.