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A mother sat in my office, her hands shaking as she recounted the incident. Her child had been in a fight at school, and the other student was badly injured. It wasn’t just the injury that scared her—it was the ease with which her child had turned to violence. “I never thought my child would do something like this,” she said, her voice filled with fear, and she can't believe her child did this.
This isn’t an isolated incident. We see it happening more and more—children, teenagers, even younger kids taking aggression as their first response. What used to be an occasional small fight over a toy or a misunderstanding in class has now gone into a full-blown fight where the goal is no longer just to defend oneself but to hurt the other person to prove their strength.
Why Are Kids Turning to Violence?
Children and teens today face a different world than the one their parents grew up in. There’s an overwhelming exposure to violence—through social media, video games, movies, and even real-life events. But exposure alone isn’t the problem. The real issue is normalization.
Lack of Emotional Regulation: Many teens struggle with handling emotions in a healthy way. Instead of resolving conflicts through words, they act on impulse.
Social media and Peer Pressure: Viral fights, online bullying, and the pressure to prove toughness have made aggression look like a symbol of power.
Parenting Challenges: With busy schedules, many parents struggle to monitor their child's emotional and social development. Sometimes, small warning signs of aggressive behavior are overlooked until they escalate.
Reduced Empathy: When kids see fights treated as entertainment, whether on TV or online, they lose the ability to feel the pain of the person on the other side.
For Teenagers: Think Before You Act
If you’re a teenager reading this, know this—winning a fight does not make you stronger. In fact, it weakens your ability to handle the real world. Life is not about proving dominance; it’s about learning to understand the differences.
Before raising your hand, ask yourself: Would I want someone to treat me this way?
If you feel anger rising, take a deep breath. Walk away if needed.
Violence can have serious consequences—not just for the other person but for you. A moment of aggression can lead to suspension, legal trouble, or even a permanent mark on your record.
For Parents: What Can You Do?
1. Observe & Talk: Watch for signs of aggression in your child’s behavior—frequent arguments, short temper, or enjoyment in watching fights. Talk to them regularly about their feelings.
2. Teach Conflict Resolution: Encourage them to express anger in healthy ways—writing, exercising, or talking about it. Studies show that children who play sports often have more control over anger etc. Show them that walking away from a fight is not weakness, but maturity.
3. Limit Violent Content: If their social media, movies or games consumption is around aggression, guide them to stay away from these kinds of media and try to watch calmer
movies and do physical hobbies etc.
4. Model Healthy Behavior: Children learn from what they see. If they witness arguments being handled with calmness and reasoning, they are more likely to adopt the same approach.
5. Get Professional Help if Needed: If your child frequently engages in fights or lacks control over their emotions, therapy or counseling can provide effective coping strategies.
Aggression in Teens: A Growing Concern
Unfortunately, these cases are increasing day by day. Cyberbullying is at an all-time high, and many teens struggle with bottled-up anger. If we continue to ignore these signs, we risk raising a generation that believes dominance is more important than empathy.
Violence should never be the answer. It’s time we start teaching that to our children—before it's too late.
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