Posted on April 21, 2010

The image of young girls used to be sweet and polite with aggressive behavior left to the boys. Recent studies, however, are showing that girls are starting to rival the opposite sex when it comes to aggression and fights.

According to a recent WMBF News report, as girls have increased access to drugs and alcohol, they are behaving more and more like boys. San Diego officials are focusing more on binge drinking as a tie to the rise in female violence.

A 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that roughly one in four girls between the ages of 12 and 17 has been engaged in at least one type of violent behavior in the past year.

Such behaviors are defined as girls fighting at school or work, or taking part in a group-against group fight or attacking someone with the intent to seriously hurt them. The survey showed that girls who fought were more likely than those who did not to have reported binge drinking and illicit drug use in the last thirty days.

Trauma Doctor Michael Sise noted that while binge drinking is just one of the many links in female violence, it is a key focus as it shows up in many high risk behaviors. At the same time, it is possible to intervene and stop binge drinking behavior.

"If you don’t make it clear that drinking is unacceptable, that violence is unacceptable, then you’re putting them in danger. It works to tell our kids what to expect it works to show up and be a force in their lives it’s our future and its their health and safety." Sise said.