[johnny7]

“Female physical violence is often, if not always, preceded by verbal bullying.”

Who'da thunk it!? What a pile of cow-flop!

The 'physically-aggressive' years for kids, male and female, are from the 5th to 9th grades. It's one of the ways that the pecking order is formed along with intellect and social status. It is the only time young males can witness young women grappling like banshees in public.(Later in adulthood, many males will pay to view this behavior even if staged.) By the time they reach high school, the process is nearly completed and the 'physical' aspects of aggression are left for the social misfits. Most end up in the criminal justice system... or the NBA. The verbal aspects of 'aggression' are carried with us to the grave. It's an artform when combined with speed and intelligence.

[battlegearboat]

It's Bush's fault.

[afuturegovernor]

I agree - the most thuggist behavior I ever witness in school was between the 5th and 9th grades.

[Clara Lou]

On Friday, we had a female student jump over the stair railing to attach another female student. The kids called her "superman." [I generally use the term "young lady" inreference to our students. The term doesn't apply here.]

Also, most of our "young ladies" (6th- through 8th-graders) are non-violent. However, many (by no means all) of them are verbally spitefully mean to their classmates. It's typical of the age, but it can be breath-taking in its viciousness.