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National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

A Federal resource for professionals, parents and youth working to prevent violence committed by and against young people.

Children and Aggression
(Printable Version)

Aggressive behavior is common in very small children. When toddlers are angry or frustrated, they often will push, shove, bite, and hit other children. As they move into their preschool years, they tend to turn to verbal aggression, yelling at other children and having temper tantrums.[1]

Most children become less aggressive as they mature and develop more effective self-control and language and interpersonal skills.[2] A few continue to be highly aggressive as they move into their elementary school years, getting into fights and bullying other children. These children are much more likely than other children to become involved in serious violence during their teenage years, and to continue that violence into adulthood.[3]

It is important to realize, however, that most aggressive children do not go on to engage in serious violence as teens and adults. And, teens with no history of aggression as children can become aggressive and violent during their teenage years, often as they begin to spend time with other teens that are involved in antisocial activities.[4]

As teens transition from adolescence into adulthood, most cease their involvement in serious violence. Only about 20 percent of serious violent offenders continue their violent careers into their twenties.[5]

  1. Coie, J. D., & Dodge, K. A. (1997). Aggression and antisocial behavior. In W. V. Damon (Ed.), Handbook of child development: Vol. 3. Social, emotional and personality development (5th ed.). New York: J. Wiley, pp. 787-788.
  2. Loeber, R. & Hay, D. (1997). Key issues in the development of aggression and violence from childhood to early adulthood, Annual Review of Psychology, 48:371-410. (p. 376)
  3. Hann, D.A. & Borek, N. (2002). Taking Stock of Risk Factors for Child/Youth Externalizing Behavior Problems, National Institute of Mental Health, p. 2.
  4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General, pp. 41-42.
  5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General, pp. 51-52.