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By Richard Reeve
The report is frightening. Clearly it challenges our attitudes regarding gender and violence.
“A disturbing report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that, in the past year, one quarter (26.7 percent) of adolescent girls participated in a serious fight at school or work, group-against-group fight, or an attack on others with the intent to inflict serious harm.” (read more at Shrink Rap)
It’s that last qualifier that needs to be emphasized: with the intent to inflict serious harm.
It’s not surprising that the report finds that binge alcohol use, as well as the use of marijuana and other illicit drugs, is often a contributing factor to these violent experiences. It important to also recognize that for troubled teen girls, the rage and anger that prompts such outbursts can stem from a variety of psychological and social difficulties. Experiences of social exclusion, for instance, are particularly difficult for adolescent girls to process.
What will it take to recognize that violence in our culture has reached epidemic proportions? Reports like this reveal that the alarms are ringing loudly.
Next Round for the Miller Bill
