When the word bullying is mentioned, you always picture in your mind a big angry boy, picking on other small, defenseless children. What some don't realize is that bullying goes hand in hand with popularity, likeability and peer acceptance. Children are greatly influenced by other children their age, as the old saying goes: "But Mommy Jimmy can stay up past 10, why can't I?" According to Miranda Witvliet, to understand children's peer group affiliation, it is necessary to be able to examine children's natural groups that resemble each other in terms of bullying, likeability, and perceived popularity. To be accepted by a popular group of kids, others will follow in his footsteps and bully others, even if the child knew it was wrong. Schools across the country have built anti-bullying campaigns and established programs to teach students, teachers and family members what to do to prevent bullying. In an article by Jennifer Dignan, she explains how Stomp Out Bullying and The National Center for Bullying Prevention are two organizations working to end the epidemic. To help prevent bullying, people need to understand how victims and bullies are influenced by other peers. Children create peer groups to gain a sense of belonging and acceptance, as well as socialize with others who have common interests, jobs, or social positions. At a young age, peer groups show children what behavior is considered acceptable towards their peers and what behavior is considered unacceptable. In some social groups, there are role expectations that people must meet. When in the peer group, children often influence each other to engage in appropriate behaviors that may be seen as right or wrong. Young ch...... middle of paper ...... In E. Mitchell (Ed. ), Sociology in our times(8th ed., pp. 119-120). United States: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.Salmivalli, C. (2010). Bullying and the peer group: A review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 15(2), 112-120. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2009.08.007Witvliet, M., Olthof, T., Hoeksma, J. B., Goossens, F. A., Smits, M. I., & Koot, H. M. (2010). Children's peer group affiliation: The role of perceived popularity, likeability, and behavioral similarity in bullying. Social Development, 19(2), 285-303. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9507.2009.00544.xVannini, N., Enz, S., Sapouna, M., Wolke, D., Watson, S., Woods, S., & ... Schneider, W. (2011). 'FearNot!': A computer-based anti-bullying program designed to encourage peer intervention. European Journal of Educational Psychology - EJPE (Springer Science & Business Media BV), 26(1), 21-44. doi:10.1007/s10212-010-0035-4