New research out of Canada shows bullies have a higher social standing than others and are likely to be perceived as having greater sex appeal as adults.
The study by Simon Fraser University surveyed 135 teenagers from a high school in Vancouver.
The students were asked how often they were physically harmed by a bully, how often they witnessed bullying incidents, or whether they were the perpetrators of bullying themselves.
The results found showed that bullies scored highest in social status and self-esteem.
They also had the lowest levels of depression.
Study research leader Jennifer Wong told the Naional Post that "humans tend to try to establish a rank hierachy".
"When you're in high school, it's a very limited arena in which you can establish your rank and climbing the social ladder to be on top is one of the main ways," she said.
"Bullying is a tool you can use to get there."
She said the results suggest schools must change their approach to bullies.
"We need to change the general school ethos so that bullies don't gain any social status points from hurting others," she said.
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