Study: Among Bahamian teens, girls more aggressive than boys

Last Updated on Friday, 24 October 2014, 21:17 by GxMedia

San Juan, Oct 23 (EFE).- Adolescent girls in theBahamasare usually more aggressive in a dating relationship than their male partners, according to a study published by the International Journal of Bahamian Studies.

The College of theBahamasand theBahamasCrisis Center analyzed the results of a survey of more than 1,000 students ages 15-18 at eight high schools in New Providence, the most-populous island in theBahamas.

Among the young men surveyed, 51 percent said their girlfriends “had called them names” while 28 percent said their female partners had been “physically abusive by hitting or slapping them” on occasion.

Thirty-five percent of female teens reported that their boyfriends have insulted them, and 19 percent said they have been slapped or hit.

“Unhealthy relationships, violence in relationships has almost become the norm now and if this is happening in the adult population, it also spills over into teen relationships,”BahamasCrisis Center senior volunteer Donna Nicolls said in a press release.

The Crisis Center recently launched an awareness campaign, “What Teens Don’t Know Can Hurt Them,” to promote healthy relationships and to help victims of dating violence.