Disclaimer: I'm NOT saying people in helping professions are bullies or mean. There are also plenty of kind/caring people in these professions. I'm just saying lots of unkind people that I know choose to go into "helping" professions for some reason.
One of the biggest bullies I know is studying psychology to become a therapist, and is working part-time as an advisor for young people struggling with eating disorders. Meanwhile, she bullies girls in her social circle calling them fat, stupid and ugly. She made one girl drop out of college because of the bullying. She also worked at a care home for a bit, and would ring me after her shifts to make fun of the elderly people she "cared" for and their bodily habits.
I also know lots of mean girls from my uni who were studying to become teachers or nurses. I heard a saying that the mean girls/guys from high school who are popular like to go into helping professions for some reason. Like doctors, nurses, policemen, social workers, psychs and teachers.
Have you experienced anything like this? If so, why do you think this is a phenomenon and what do you think can be done about this?
Why do people who are unkind in their personal lives want to help others as their job?
