I don't know, Miss Beast, it seems to be the way of this world. Everybody, even the Pokemon, seem to have fun with it though, so there's no real harm in it. It's a good way to bond with your Pokemon and new people.

[Only a shonen protagonist would say that beating the crap out of each other is a good bonding exercise.]

You don't have to participate in battles, though. I'm sure you can train your Pokemon the same way that you trained your...um, beasts back at home.