|
RESOURCES - Articles
Teen Violence: A Generation At Risk
Nationwide,
violent crimes by juveniles, including murder, rape, robbery
and aggravated
assault, have increased 46 percent, according to the FBI.
As the teenage population rises, juvenile crime is also expected
to increase. At the root of juvenile crime is a lack of parental
supervision, greater temptations on the streets, easy access
to guns, and an overall shift in society’s values.
Research shows that children learn violent and aggressive
behavior early. Children who are exposed to violence in their
homes may learn aggressive behavior before they learn to
talk. They see aggression in their homes and neighborhoods
and learn to deal with their problems in a violent way.
What can we do to keep kids from taking
a wrong turn? The key is to reach children before it’s
too late. Early intervention can help troubled kids get
the help they need.
Help might consist of family counseling, day care, job opportunities,
drug treatment programs, teen recreation centers, or school-based
outreach programs.
Many schools offer conflict-resolution
programs, which show kids how to express themselves in
non-confrontational ways.
These programs teach kids how to deal with their anger, avoid
dangerous situations, and sort through their feelings, but
the most successful anti-violence programs involve the family.
The family is part of the child’s support system and
should be encouraged to provide a positive influence.
Foundations Behavioral Health recently
created a “Life
Skills” program which is available to school systems.
The program offers kids opportunities to learn how to better
handle the emotional problems that are often a part of growing
up.
Many kids who turn to violence may see themselves as loners
or outsiders who feel they have been rejected by their peers.
Students who exhibit certain behavior patterns need assistance.
Some of the signs that indicate that a youngster might need
help include: talking about violence; preoccupation with
violent music, movies or games; mood swings; using drugs
or alcohol; recent loss or disappointment; a history of depression;
history of suicide attempts or other self-destructive behavior;
and bullying or being a chronic victim.
Severely antisocial children exhibit common behavior patterns,
such as insisting on doing everything his or her way, failing
to consider injury to others, and refusing to be accountable
for his or her actions.
Although the topic of teen violence is a subject of great
media attention, the fact is, most children in this country
are not violent. While some teens show their rage through
violence, most youngsters do act responsibly and have a positive
attitude toward life.
To prevent students from behaving aggressively
or violently, schools should establish school policies
and procedures for
averting violence and intervening when it does occur. The
system should identify troubled youth, refer them for psychological
assessments, provide appropriate follow-up, and monitor the
child’s progress.
Foundations Behavioral Health
|
