ABSTRACT
Since Columbine, the issue of aggression in youth has been at the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. Across the country, administrators, guidance counselors, school nurses, and teachers witness violence between young people in the classroom, often on a daily5 basis. In a recent survey of high school students, more than one-third of respondents reported being in a physical fight in the past twelve months (CDC, 2002). A report commissioned by former President Clinton showed that 30 to 40 percent of male youths and 15 to10 30 percent of female youths admit to having committed a serious violent offense by age 17. The violent offenses included in this group are homicides, robberies, aggravated assaults, and forcible rapes (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001).15
