By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
What teens can learn from Katt Williams fight with a teen
20a46f4aec05a562bc7f7d1d37caa2a7c754ad2f361f4963579c3dd82a9910b6
Comedian Katt Williams recently got into a fight with a teenager. Here are some steps parents can take to make sure their teen doesn't do the same. - photo by Herb Scribner
Comedian Katt Williams latest online video is no laughing matter.

Last week, a video surfaced online that showed the comedian apparently fighting a teenager after a friendly soccer match at the teens school. The video shows Williams and the teen, Luke Walsh, exchange words before they brawl and scramble on the ground. After the teen backs up, Williams tells the young boy to stay away.

Though the video shows the two mutually engaging in a fight, The Morning Ledger reported that the teenager might have planned to provoke Williams into a battle by talking smack during the soccer game, leading to Williams eventual first punch.

One resident from the area said Walsh planned to get in Williams face, The Morning Ledger reported.

He told all his friends way in advance that he was going to get in [Katts] face, talk smack and not back down until Katt hit him, the resident said, according to The Morning Ledger.

Walsh said Williams started the fight because he didnt enjoy the soccer game. After the game finished, Williams asked the teen if he wanted to square up before sucker punching him in the face, Vibe reported.

I tried to shake his hand and he was like, back off me little boy. I dont know if he was sour, but it is what it is, Walsh said, according to Vibe.

Regardless of who started the fight, this event may seem familiar for parents. Young high school teens will often find themselves in fights, for which they blame the other person. Thats why Williams recent scuffle with a teen can teach all parents lessons about how their child can settle conflict peacefully.

Fights among teens are nothing new. A 1999 survey of high school students found that 1 in 3 students have been in a physical fight, with 1 in 7 having that fight on school property and 1 in 9 receiving a physical injury that sent them to a hospital, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

There are myriad reasons that teens engage in physical fights. According to Keep Schools Safe, 54 percent of teens say a fight started because someone was insulted, where as 44 percent said it was a result of an ongoing feud or disagreement. Another 40 percent said fights started because of rumors, and 39 percent said it was because a teen couldnt control his or her anger.

This is where parents may need to take a more active role in their childs life. Young teens should know that everyone gets angry, and disagreements are going to come up regularly. But this doesnt mean they always need to resort to violence to settle conflicts, according to Healthy Children, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Children do what they see others do. You are your childs most important role model, according to Healthy Children.

In fact, Healthy Children recommends parents use the phrase ACT CALM when talking to their children about fighting. Heres a breakdown of what that means.

ACKNOWLEDGE

Acknowledge any emotional, behavioral or bodily changes.

CALM DOWN

Take a deep breath, count to 10 and walkway. Let your mind and body reset and refresh.

THINK AND TALK

Think about the ongoing problem and see if there are any immediate fixes. Talk with someone else about your issues and grievances.

CALM DOWN

Walk away from the scene, stay alert and stand tall if someone isnt going to treat you nicely.

AVOID

Avoid name-calling and insults when you can. They will only add fuel to the fire.

LISTEN

Listen to the other persons point of view and see if they have any issues you can resolve.

MOVE ON

Find a solution to the problem that doesnt involve fist fighting.