By Kiara Amaya

We are all too familiar with the emotions of anger, betrayal, and frustration; they can be unwelcome companions in our lives. Whether it’s a heated argument with a sibling over stolen clothes or a disagreement with a friend, common wisdom suggests that we should communicate and give each other space to cool down. However, there are instances where conflicts escalate into physical fights, leaving someone on the ground. 

This article explores the reasons people resort to physical violence.

The Desire for Respect and Status

According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, adolescents often perceive fighting as a problem-solving strategy to gain respect and status among their peers. 

“Walking away from a fight is viewed as ineffective and can lead to increased harassment and rejection by peers,” according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). 

In 2019 the National Center for Education Statistics found that 26 percent of freshmen, 23 percent of sophomores, 20 percent of juniors, and 18 percent of seniors reported being in a physical fight anywhere while 11 percent of freshmen, 8 percent of sophomores, and 6 percent of juniors and seniors reported being in a physical fight on school grounds.

This is a significant percentage of students involved in fights, which indicates that the desire for social acceptance and respect can sometimes lead to physical altercations.

Gender Disparities

Interestingly, gender also plays a role in the prevalence of fights among students. 

The National Center for Education Statistics found that higher percentages of male students (11 percent) engage in physical fights compared to female students (4 percent). This disparity may be linked to the risk-taking and aggression often associated with testosterone. 

Community and Peer-Pressure

The community and peer group a person is surrounded by can also heavily influence their behavior. If a person is in an environment that normalizes and glorifies fighting, whether it’s in the name of self-defense or otherwise, they are more likely to engage in physical altercations. Family and friends who encourage fighting as a means to maintain respect perpetuate this behavior. 

The study that the National Library of Medicine conducted also found that third-person instigators play a significant role in encouraging physical fights and preventing students from walking away from them. A student from the study who identified as a non-fighter concluded that “Most fights wouldn’t even happen if there wasn’t this big ol’ crowd of people that crowds around them edging them on.”

High school can be a time when students test boundaries and embrace new experiences. Unfortunately, this also includes physical fights, often witnessed by classmates eager to capture the drama on video. These incidents can dominate conversations for days, depending on their severity.

In high school, it is crucial to navigate the complexities of social dynamics while also making responsible choices. Understanding the motivations behind physical fights, such as the pursuit of respect and status, can help us address the issue more effectively. So the next time you feel the urge to chant “fight, fight, fight,” remember these confrontations are typically broken up by the time you get there, leaving you with more positive choices to make.