Fighting in school.

[OrmIrian]

I am so torn about this.

DS1 (15) got into a fight at school yesterday. According to him some boy attacked him unprovoked and he retaliated. No real harm done. He reckons it happens all the time amongst the boys but no-one ever gets hurt because it's not serious fighting, just 'scrapping'. he just shrugged it off. As did DH when I told him later.

I know he has done it at least once before - when some lads set on one of his old school mates in the park and he waded in to help his friend.

But I feel really uncomfortable about it. It wasn't something I ever did, nor did I know anyone else that did. DB never got into fights (thank the lord, he is about as physically adept as a wheelbarrow ). I think of fighting as something that is always serious and a bit shocking TBH.

Am I wrong. Is it 'normal'?

Anyone?

I think it is normal, Orm. You didn't get into fights because you were a girl, they do more subtle things to hurt each other.

DS had one big barney in yr7 (punched a lad who was being racist and broke his sternum), but has had no further direct bother. He does say, though, that they playfight right up to about yr 11. Sometimes it sounds like more than playfighting to me, but they don't see it as we would

Thankyou mumble

I guess it isn't all that serious as no-one gets hurt. It's just so outside my experience.

mumblechum1 is right, it's not so uncommon.

I have 2 boys 2 years apart and they used to "play fight" like a pair of lion cubs when they were younger, not so much now though.
I think the fact that this is something rare suggests there isn't really a problem with your DS. Testosterone fuelled teenage boys have to learn to handle this kind of thing.
DS1 has only got into a "fight" once to my knowledge (he was 14) when he was defending his brother against some over the top teasing. I didn't like it though and grounded him for it. I said he should find another way to resolve things.
I think that they will come across aggression/ violence at some time as they grow up and they need to learn how to diffuse a situation.