Citation

Cameron M, Taggart CE. J. School Violence 2005; 4(2): 75-93.

Affiliation

University at Buffalo School of Social Work, 622 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260 (mcameron@buffalo.edu)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J202v04n02_05

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This qualitative study examined perceptions of the causes and nature of conflicts and violence among African-American girls in an urban high school. In-depth, iterative interviewing was used to explore the perceptions of these girls, male students, teachers, and other school personnel. Ethnographic observation was also used. Conflicts and violence among girls were produced by an insult or accusation made by one girl against another which by group norms required a commensurately aggressive response. Peers actively pressured girls to fight and those that did not were scapegoated by others. However, a mediation service was used by girls to end conflicts successfully.