It’s no wonder that violence is on the rise among America’s teen-age girls. Look at the role models being held up for them to emulate. Female stars flaunt their vulgarity to the delight of the paparazzi and get into cat fights to the joy of the tabloids. And now we have the latest “star” in the firmament – the woman who wants to be vice president of the United States.

Republican delegates cheered lustily when she described herself as a pit bull with lipstick in her speech at the recent convention in St. Paul. Now, I have nothing against pit bulls (photo at right) – I think they actually look better than some of the “hockey moms” she compared them with. But pit bulls were bred as fighting dogs and have a reputation for ferocity. They’re not my idea of a role model for human beings, men or women.

Yet in calling herself a pit bull, Sarah Palin (above, left)) was actually being euphemistic. Her schoolmates had another name for her – an even more ferocious one – “Barracuda” (photo at right). My mother used to warn me against “viragoes” like that. And the Bible puts it this way:

It is better to live in the corner of a roof than to live in a big house with a brawling woman. (Proverbs)

I can hear some readers cry, “Sexist!” But tell that to Solomon, who is generally accepted as the wisest man who ever lived. He said it. And while I agree with his view, I would add that I would not want to live with a brawling man, either.

In my book, brawling is not a good thing. Agreeable people are better companions – and are usually far more effective. As some other wise person said, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

It saddens me that some American women – possibly in an overreaction to generations of sexist injustice – should wish to discard the very virtues that have made them strong and admirable, and adopt the worst characteristics of  their male counterparts. Men who are pit bulls (with or without lipstick) and barracudas are not to be admired, either, but to be avoided. That kind of aggressive behavior is usually a sign of insecurity and weakness. The truly strong person can afford to be courteous and agreeable even in disagreement. Again, the Bible has some guidance on the subject:

 But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is … full of quiet gentleness. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others.” (James 3:17)

What presidential candidate does that put you in mind of? Could his last name begin with an O?