Is Your Child Destined to Become a Bully?

While some signs of the zodiac are naturally better at getting along with their peers, others are more likely to lash out. While being a bully is often learned behavior, some signs are just plain meaner than others. Find out if your child likes to play fair or if you've got a tiny tyrant on your hands.

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March 21 – April 19

Bully potential: strong

Unfortunately for parents of Aries kids, this hot-headed, ill-tempered sign is the most likely in the zodiac to become a bully. Strong-willed Aries children tend to be leaders and may turn their friends against any child they don't like. The good news is that Aries is extremely loyal and protective towards those they care for, and they have strong reasoning abilities. If given the right instruction and encouragement, this ram sign can be benevolent instead of a bully.

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April 20 – May 20

Bully potential: likely

Bossy Taurus children have strong preferences and aren't afraid to voice them. Since this bull-headed sign tends to think they're always right, they may not realize when they are belittling or talking down to others to get their point across. While these children would much rather mind their own business, they do have a mean streak that can be triggered when someone annoys them or isn't doing something "the right way."

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May 21 – June 20

Bully potential: mid-level

Gemini children are more likely to engage in bullying if someone else is the ring leader. This social sign enjoys being part of a group, so it's important to make sure their friends aren't meanies, too. While Gemini isn't often directly vicious to others (on their own), they can be passive-aggressive and love to gossip, so teach them the value of trust and kindness early on to ward-off their natural shadiness.

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June 21 – July 22

Bully potential: low

Affectionate Cancer children aren't naturally mean, unless they feel attacked or threatened. They tend to gravitate towards smaller groups of friends and like sticking to routines in relaxed, safe places. If someone is unkind to them, however, they may lash out and can be bitterly cruel when doing so. It is unlikely this crab sign will purposefully bully another child, but if a child bullies them, you can be certain they will have the last word.

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July 23 – August 22

Bully potential: mid-level

While Leo children are known to have strong personalities, they are also wise beyond their years and often very loyal and affectionate toward others. However, just like their lion sign suggests, they have a natural mean streak that enjoys hunting for prey. Leo children may pick on others they perceive as weaker. It is especially important that parents teach them compassion and kindness to help stave off this behavior while young.

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August 23 – September 22

Bully potential: low

Kind-hearted Virgo children are more likely to protect others than cause them harm. While this sign is known for seeking acceptance and approval from others, they are also nurturers who will defend others when no one else will. If this maiden sign is caught up with a group of mean kids, they'll likely express anxiety symptoms such as stomachaches and stress until they find a new group of friends.

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September 23 – October 22

Bully potential: likely

The strangest thing about Libra children is that in the home, they tend to operate as peace keepers and justice-seekers. However, outside the home, Libra often looks for ways to express personal power, and that can come at the cost of others. To help your Libra child avoid turning into a bully, work with them on building a strong sense of self. If they have a clearly defined personal identity, they are less likely to taunt or tease others for approval.

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October 23 – November 22

Bully potential: very low

Interestingly, Scorpio children are actually some of the sweetest in the zodiac. This sign is known for having all kinds of attitude, but few realize how timid and sweet these mini scorpions truly are. Like their moniker suggests, when this sign is threatened, they will produce a potent sting, but otherwise, they'd prefer to be left alone.

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November 23 – December 21

Bully potential: improbable

Sweet, open-minded Sagittarius children are the least likely in the zodiac to bully others. This sign is a magnet for others and is usually neutral when it comes to conflict. They have little to no time for personal drama, even as children. As long as they have a stable, loving home environment, this sign will likely have many friends and few, if any, fights.

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December 22 – January 19

Bully potential: medium-high

Determined Capricorn children are unlikely to become bullies, unless they've been bullied. This goat sign tends to have a vindictive streak and will strike back at others when they themselves have been hurt. They don't seek out to victimize others, but will be even meaner to anyone who was mean to them. Since this sign tends to have a strong "tit for tat" attitude, teaching them how to rise above cruelty will help them get a grip on their desire for vengeance.

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January 20 – February 18

Bully potential: low

Aquarius children are generally too consumed with the world around them to care much about the opinions of others. This imaginative sign doesn't get a thrill out of overpowering others and would much rather be friends with everyone they meet. However, these unique children are often targets of bullies who perceive them as "strange" or "different" and this can have devastating effects on their self-esteem. Help your independent Aquarius child see that they are amazing, no matter what others say.

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February 19 – March 20

Bully potential: medium

Tender Pisces is emotionally fragile and needs a lot of compassion and attention to feel comforted and secure. Due to this personality type, they may seek approval from other children by being mean. While this sign will also battle incredible guilt if they hurt anyone's feelings, it won't stop them from teasing or poking fun at others to get a laugh from their friends. Teaching this water sign empathy will go a long way to prevent this behavior.

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