Children: teasing and gossip lead to violence. (Notebook: educations information from schools, business, research and professional organizations).

A new report shows that more than two of every three schoolchildren have been teased or bullied in school during the past month, and that many of them believe this leads to more extreme violence.

The report, Youth Violence: Students Speak Out for a More Civil Society, was conducted by the Families and Work Institute and The Colorado Trust. The study polled 1,000 students from grades 5-12.

Many of the students didn't blame their parents or the school administrators, but the culture amongst themselves that doesn't tolerate diversity. One 14-year-old girl said she wished "that kids got along and didn't care about appearances, money or ethnic backgrounds. It's usually something like that which makes kids fight."

The children also placed importance on relationships. The data backed this up: young people with better relationships with mothers, fathers, teachers or friends are much less likely to experience violence, either as victims or as aggressors.

But the report also showed that children who were harmed were much more likely to do the same to others. Thirty-five percent of those attacked with a weapon attack others, compared to only 2 percent of those who haven't been attacked.

"We learn important troths by listening to what young people have to say about their experiences with violence, and what they think will stop it," says Ellen Galinsky, author of the report and president of Families and Work Institute. "We must pay attention to how the experiences and relationships of young people affect the way they learn to handle and interpret conflict."

The Colorado Trust, a foundation that has already committed $36 million to improve youth development, announced a new $1.3 million grant to help schools and districts start plans they have developed.

www.familiesandwork.org/ www.coloradotrust.org