The evidence is clear: children living in poverty are at a significantly increased risk of experiencing bullying. However, the conversation around bullying too often overlooks the intersection between bullying and poverty.
In recent years, the conversation around bullying has expanded to include various forms of victimisation and their impact on young people's lives. However, there is a significant factor that is often overlooked: the intersection of poverty and bullying. The evidence is clear: children living in poverty are at a significantly increased risk of experiencing bullying. Yet, little is understood about the specific mechanisms that drive this relationship or how we can effectively prevent it. It is crucial that we bring this issue to the forefront and work collaboratively with young people to find solutions.
The Stark Reality of Poverty in Schools
The number of pupils eligible for free school meals (FSM), a common indicator of low-income status, has been steadily increasing. As of January 2024, 2.1 million pupils were eligible for FSM, representing 24.6% of all pupils. This is a notable rise from 23.8% in January 2022. Similarly, 28% of children and young people in Wales are affected by poverty, equating to about 7 learners in a typical class of 25. Nationally, the government estimated that 4.3 million children, or 30% of all children in the UK, were living in relative low-income households after housing costs in 2022/23.
The Connection Between Poverty and Bullying
Our 2023 findings at the Anti-Bullying Alliance through our United Against Bullying programme, highlight a disturbing trend: pupils in receipt of FSM report higher levels of bullying than their peers. This encompasses not only traditional forms of bullying but also online victimisation. These students also report a worse overall school experience and lower well-being compared to their peers who are not in receipt of FSM.
Prior to this, our All Together Programme, which ran from 2017 to 2021, demonstrated that targeted interventions can improve the well-being of pupils involved in bullying. Notably, those who were frequently bullied, those who frequently bullied others, pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those in receipt of FSM saw the greatest improvements through a whole-school approach.
We’re currently analysing the data from our final phase of United Against Bullying to see if our approach continues to prove to be successful.
Understanding the Impact
Bullying disproportionately affects children living in poverty in various ways:
- Emotional and Social Consequences: According to the 7th Annual Child and Family Poverty Surveys 2023, being bullied or looked down upon was identified as the most significant issue affecting children in poverty while at school in Wales.
- Hygiene and Appearance: ‘In Kind Direct's’ report highlights that children are being bullied due to poor hygiene, a consequence of their families' inability to afford toiletries. The report found that 46% of teachers have now seen children bullied because of their hygiene issues.
- Perceived Economic Inequality: Research indicates that adolescents who see themselves as poorer than their friends are more likely to report being bullied. This sense of economic disparity within peer groups can exacerbate feelings of exclusion and vulnerability.
Broader Findings
The National Children's Bureau, where ABA is based, found in 2016 that children who experience persistent poverty are more than twice as likely to report being frequently bullied. A study of over 12,000 UK children in 2022 revealed that those who feel financially different from their friends are more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of bullying.
Do we have any solutions?
Children in Wales asked young people in 2023, ‘What can be done to stop bullying?’ and they made some really practical suggestions for change:
- Banning non-uniform days
- Lessons on budgeting and how difficult it is to manage with low income
- Raise awareness and build compassion for teachers and pupils in poverty
- Ensuring school uniforms are all made from the same ‘cheap supermarket’ rather than expensive brands
- Provide free school uniforms and shoe tokens but providing them in a discrete and respectful manner
A Call to Action
The relationship between poverty and bullying is complex and multifaceted. To address this issue, we need to understand the specific mechanisms at play and develop targeted interventions. This requires collaboration with young people, educators, policymakers, and our member organisations. Our aim should be to create inclusive environments where all children, regardless of their economic background, feel safe, supported, and valued.
At the Anti-Bullying Alliance, we are committed to undertaking this crucial work. By raising awareness and driving change, we can help prevent bullying and support the wellbeing of all children. Let's start talking about bullying and poverty and work together to create a brighter future for every child.