We have seen this scene play out times before whether it is inside or outside our school environment. Folks cluster around two or more aggressive individuals as they get into each other’s faces and spit out hate-filled rants and coercions until a physical altercation breaks out.  Surrounding spectators then chant, “Fight, Fight, Fight!” as dozens of smartphone cameras hover the air, capturing every second of the action for social media purposes and bragging rights.

Everyone has encountered a moment in their life when they have been involved in a heated argument. Depending on the person and the situation, the verbal dispute could have escalated into a full blown physical altercation, or just stayed at a simple verbal dispute.

Since fighting is so common, many adults just dismiss it as a normal part of a child’s development. This is a big misconception that many hold today.

While teenagers (boys in particular), have always engaged in fist fighting throughout the past centuries.  Several teens now carry concealed weapons just in case of an altercation. The threat of physical altercations resulting in serious injury or premature death is now at an all time high.

In recent news, a high school in Texas was placed on a five hour lock-down following a fight turned deadly. In the incident, a 17-year old boy was charged with murder after a horrific multi-student stabbing in the cafeteria, which left several students hospitalized and a 16- year old dead. Just this week, another fight related incident occurred between two Texas sophomore students leaving one student unconscious and bleeding to death in the hallway; he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. These reports are among the many fight-related cases that have resulted in casualties.

Though walking away may seem like an ideal slolution, most seem to  think it makes you seem weak .

But the answer to that is no, walking away from a verbal exchange that can potentially turn physical does not make you seem like the “weak” individual in the matter. In fact, it takes a lot of courage to be the bigger person in such situation. Even trained combat professionals have to pick their battles, and use peaceful effective methods to regain their composure.

Some students at Ben Davis have some of their own effective ways of dealing with conflicts. Take sophomore Natalia Dubrovensky for instance, she handles her encounters quickly and efficiently to avoid unnecessary physical confrontations.

“I remember I was sitting in class one day and one of my fellow classmates began making a big deal out of a trivial matter,” she said, “Instead of causing a big scene out of nothing, I simply turned around and held my tongue. Whenever I am angry, I do a lot of breathing exercises to regain my composure.”

Dubrovensky also shared some words of wisdom to help her fellow peers to stay out of trouble.

“I usually stay out of confrontations because I mainly treat others how I would want to be treated, and that is with uttermost respect,” Dubrovensky said. “Also, school is a place for learning, not for violence. When that first bell rings; it is time to sit down and close your mouth to receive your education. This really isn’t the time or place to act a fool.”