Parenting and Youth Violence – Parenting Matters
Violence is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among youth. With slightly more than 1 in 3 high school students reported to be involved in a physical fight, this is a major social issue. For high school students almost 1 in 10 have been involved in dating violence and almost 1 in 3 had their property stolen or deliberately damaged at school. Thankfully, parents are not powerless as recent published studies show. I describe some simple steps parents can take.
Can we as parents influence our kids with respect to use of violence? The good news is that if our kids see us as disapproving of the use of violence to solve interpersonal problems then they were more likely not to engage in violent behavior. Interestingly, almost 40% of the parents indicated that they would tell their child it is okay to hit if another person pushes him or her. Perhaps for some parents, advising their child to fight back when provoked is the best way they think their child will be safe.
Using corporal punishment as a disciplining method by parents increased the risk of youth violence as reported in several studies. Seeing parents using corporal punishment may suggest to young people that the use of physical force in dealing with a problem is normal. Parents should clearly communicate to their children how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence and to model these skills themselves by avoiding the use of physical punishment.
In another study, it was found that among boys who had all the specific risk factors and none of the three protective factors, 71% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior at the time of the second interview. For boys who had none of the risk factors and all three protective factors, only 18% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior. Likewise, for girls who had all the risk factors and none of the three protective factors, 61% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior at the time of the second interview. Among girls who had none of the risk factors and all three protective factors, only 7% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior.
In summary to reduce youth violence, we need to strengthen families, enhance positive relationships with adults, encourage a sense of connection with school and improve academic performance. We also need to reduce weapon carrying, substance abuse, school problems and emotional distress. Finally, and most importantly, we know that witnessing or experiencing violence and being exposed to suicide attempts (and completions) of friends and family members endanger the lives and well-being of our youth.
As parents we have the power to reduce youth violence and improve our children’s lives. Lets seize that opportunity and stop the violence among our youth.
B.G. Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/k-12-education-articles/parenting-and-youth-violence-parenting-matters-82277.html
February 9th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
How Do We Stop Youth Violence And Rescue A Generation?
It is imperative that we help youth understand the value of life and that the choices they make effect their lives as well as others. I was in the car one day and had just picked my daughter up from school when what seemed like a hundred teenagers swarmed over to the bus stop where a young boy and a girl were sitting. They began piling on top of the young man, stomping him, and hitting him. I began blowing my horn to stop them. I then got out of my car and began yelling for them to stop and at the same time calling the police. Another car pulled up and a man got out. The kids eventually stopped and dispersed. The police never came. I had the boy call his parents. I never saw him again but think about him every now and then, hopefully this matter was resolved in a positive manner. My point is, "why do youth feel they have to result to violence?" This happened a couple of years ago, but it is still happening today. My daughter said to me, "Mommy you can’t get out the car and do that." I told her plainly, "Yes I Can. I would expect someone to help you if you were ever in trouble." I want to know what can we do as a people to stop violence amongst youth? I feel deeply in my heart that we have to come together and give youth an outlet, programs and activities that are free. Programs and activities that are interesting and exciting, that will propel learning and promote skills. I am determined to organize with other parents, individuals, organizations, and schools to reach youth and to help youth by any means necessary. Our organization is Women In Partnership, http://www.womeninpartnership.net and we have just recently set objectives and goals to implement youth programs and activities here in Chicago if you would like to help us in any way please email us at youth@womeninpartnership.net. I know that what I did that day was a good thing, but at the same time it wasn’t enough. I feel like the love I have for my children has to be expressed in loving someone else’s child. My children and your children have to come in contact and interact with these youth that have issues of a violent nature. If we love our children the way we say we do, we will step up and speak out against youth violence. This is a campaign to stop youth violence across the country. Please join in by sending us an email so that we can get information out to you. Thank You and God Bless.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:22 am
THE ONLY WAY TO HELP THE YOUTH IS TO GIVE THEM MONEY. I MYSELF DID TIME AS A JUVENILE FOR A VIOLENT CRIME ALONG WITH NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING. MONEY WAS THE ROOT OF IT ALL. WE DON’T HAVE NOTHING WORTH LIVING FOR IN THESE PLACES WHERE WE LIVE "THE GHETTO", NO RESOURCES, NO HELP, POOR EDUCATION, NOTHING GOOD AT ALL. IF THE STUPID A$$ GOVERNMENT WOULD QUIT FUNDING WARS AND HELPING OUT THE POOR IN OTHER COUNTRYS WE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX OUR OWN PROBLEM HERE IN THE U.S.
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February 10th, 2010 at 4:24 am
First, let me say thank you so much for your concern and your efforts. We could use a lot more people like you.
Second, I would like to offer my view that it is adult culture from the top down that is causing all societal problems. After all, we have a government bent on ruling the world through aggression and violence, and institutions such as schools teaching the main value in life is obedience to authority. Society, for it’s part, is more interested in maintaining perferred lifestyles than anything else. Government is free to terrorize the world, and ourselves, so long as it sees to it that we can continue to work and buy things. There is precious little time left for family these days, and people seem to have accustomed themselves nicely to this sad state of affairs.
Good luck, and thanks again for becoming involved.
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February 10th, 2010 at 4:26 am
We need to bring back good paying jobs to America and provide access for our youth to good paying jobs with health benefits. Not everyone can make it through college, or aren’t able to go due to trying to help support their Mom and Dad or sister, brother. Those people need good paying jobs like the American automakers used to provide tons of.
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February 10th, 2010 at 4:28 am
gotta smoke some weed bro
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