School Insults 'Useful' ?

I was intrigued by page 7 of today's Daily Telegraph. Under the 'In Brief' section (no link seems available) the paper stated 3,500 children have been suspended from school for sexual misconduct.

We are informed that these pupils in England were given exclusions for sexual misconduct in the academic year 2006-07, including 260 in primary school (my emphasis). The paper informs us that sexual misconduct covers a range of behaviour included in which is name-calling.

On the same page is an article entitled School insults 'useful'. Apparently a Dr. Erin Heerey, a psychologist at Bangor University, North Wales, insisted that nicknames (ie name-calling) were an "essential part of life".

Bit like being in a pantomime audience - no it isn't, oh yes it is, oh no it isn't............

Ye Gods!