SAN DIEGO—
A new study finds that teenage girls are more likely to get into fights than teenage boys.According to officials, video shown on YouTube of teen girls fighting has become a troubling trend and may be linked to underage drinking.
In the 2008 National survey on Drug Use and Health, the percentage of girls getting into a fights are slightly higher than boys (26.7% vs. 25.4%).
"As girls get access to drugs and alcohol they are behaving more like boys," said Pam Slater Price, chairwoman for the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors.
"Adolescent teens that are involved in violent behavior are more likely involved in binge drink in the past month," said Nick Macchione, director of County Health and Human Services Agency.
Dr. Michael Sise, from Scripps Health, said each year around 2500 teens in San Diego end up in the emergency room because of alcohol related injuries. He also said alcohol abuse was not the only reason teen girls turned to violence.
"Part of it is the cultural violence part of it is being at risk because of family issues and the peer pressure," said Sise.
Director of Phoenix House San Diego, Elizabeth Urquhart runs a drug and alcohol abuse program. She said many of the violent girls she deals with have deep rooted issues.
"They are having problems with their family, being broken in some way, or death in the family," said Urquhart. "Keep asking your child if they are okay. Don't give up because they need your support."
She said parents can watch out for signs that lead to aggressive behavior including grades dropping, quitting sports, or withdrawing from the family.
