How is violence used by the characters to deal with their emotions?

Fighting in the novel is almost a right of passage. The Socs fight to establish their superiority; their violence is made up of pompous bravado..... we're better than you are.

The Greasers fight for numerous reasons. They fight to establish themselves; to stick up for their gang; to have fun; to let out aggression..... or simply to act tough. Their fighting and violence is often a response to the way their treated.... treated by their families..... treated by society.

Each of the gangs enjoys fighting. They're young, teenage boys working off that excess testosterone.