DR. WALLACE: I've been suspended from school for three days and my parents and I are very upset at the principal.

Yesterday during lunch break, a girl came up to me and started pulling my hair and punching me because she said that I "stole" her boyfriend from her. It's true that I am going out with Jose, but I had nothing at all to do with their breakup.

I was shocked when this girl attacked me, but it didn't take me long to defend myself. We went at it hot and heavy for about five minutes before a teacher separated us. I got in a few good punches during my self-defense. When it was over, I noticed that her nose was bleeding once we were separated and I could finally see her clearly after our rumble. This girl who started the fight was suspended for five days and she certainly deserved it, but my three-day suspension was totally unfair. I was attacked and my only "crime" was that I defended myself.

Furthermore, my permanent school record will now show that I have been suspended three days for fighting. I still might've been suspended even if I had allowed this girl to just pound on me without fighting back.

The principal said I was suspended because it takes two people to cause a fight. What do you think about this, since you are a former high school principal? —Adela, via email.

ADELA: A fight on a school campus causes a serious disruption of the educational process and most administrators discipline the combatants severely.

In almost all fights, one person swings first and then the boxing/wrestling match is underway, causing students from all corners of the campus to rush over to see the action up close.

I know that it is difficult — perhaps impossible — to turn the other cheek when attacked. That's why I was always more severe about discipline when I ascertained that one party was more default than the other.

In your case, I would've given you a day at home to cool down, and the aggressor would've received a five-day suspension. When the other girl returned to school, the two of you would've met in my office to make sure the "misunderstanding" was resolved and completely over. I suggest that your parents contact your counselor and ask for an addendum on your records regarding the fighting suspension. It should be amended to note that you were not the aggressor and only defended yourself once you were attacked.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: at Pixabay