Kids, Guns and Violence…Securing the Future for Safer Youth and Communities 

Researchers have determined that most boys are violent because, they receive less affection. They are taught to withhold their emotions and to be warriors and soldiers prepared to battle until the bitter end at any time. This philosophy promotes aggressive behavior in boys and this behavior is known to be reinforced by movies and video games. Therefore, boys have a tendency to be physically violent and aggressive with others. Girls also have the same capabilities as boys of being violent. They, however, don’t always demonstrate these tendencies in the same way. Girls sometimes demonstrate stress by expressing depression and allowing themselves to be the subject of violence.

There are some definitive links between the exposure to violent acts in the media to the aggressive behavior today. They are not, however, solely responsible for violent acts or aggressive behavior. Lack of family cohesiveness is one of the primary problems along with the community avoiding involvement with youth that need appropriate guidance. A lot of the child development is forced onto the media due to the lack of parental involvement or simple absence. The media and video games do have an effect on violent behavior. Children are not born violent – violence is a learned behavior. The creation of violent children is a multi faceted problem, but peers influence other young people. Music and the internet also offer young people messages of aggression and violence, which means that parents must consistently monitor their children's activities (the music they listen to and the sites they visit on the net). Children understand right from wrong, however, these other sources can pass on powerful messages when the parent is not involved and in constant communication with a child.

Social issues are an important cause with concerns to violence. Youth are concerned about rejection and labeling from their peers. The lack of nurturing and support increases risk factors. Youth need protective understanding in order to foster resiliency. A child needs to be mentored and interact with positive caring adults. 

Many children arrive on the school ground with excessive negative baggage. Their homes may not be a safe haven. Verbal, physical abuse, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse as well as other criminal misconduct result from absence of parental guidance. This is a total breakdown of the family structure. The school, in this case, may become a safer haven and the only environment for some children, which is conducive to learning. School administrators, teachers and School Resource Officers must understand these dynamics because this problem may exist in a child's home. We understand that our expectations of that child should not be lowered. The expectations must remain high and the child must receive the same consequences as other children would receive for negative behavior/actions. Each professional person who interacts with the child must note the warning signs, which can lead or perpetuate violence. In the school environment we need structure and levels of trust must be established with youth. The establishment of trust is done with peer counseling, mentoring programs and conflict resolution teams. 

We often forget to recognize youth that are doing good work within their community. Too much attention can be focused on academic achievement and not enough on positive reinforcement. As parents we frequently talk to our children instead of listening. We tell the child what they should do instead of allowing the child to utilize their own decision-making skills.

When considering new programs or after school activities for our youth, we should let them decide which of the programs and activities they would like to participate in. After all, they are the ones who are expected to participate. 

Guns are far too accessible to our youth, especially in the South. Most young people can tell adults where to go and by drugs and guns. We are all part of the problem and now it is an opportune moment for each of us to be part of the solution. If you have guns in your home, put in a safe or other place safe from the hands of children. Make sure that your children are familiar with the operation and safety features of any weapon you own. This will lessen the chance that your child will have an accident with one if he/she is able to get their hands on one. Tell your children to immediately leave the home or area of any other youth that is in possession of a weapon. Curious youth do have gun related accidents and this will lessen the chance that your child will be the victim of such an act.

Signals to look for in a youth requiring guidance

1. Withdrawal from family and friends
2. Unexplained absences from school
3. Failing grades
4. Running away
5. Serious physical fights
6. Unexplained rage
7. Possession of weapons
8. Self inflicted injuries (injuries to animals) 

Parents should not necessarily look for one specific warning sign, look for several. We know that parents of adolescents have a big job. Parents sometimes need additional assistance from outside of their homes. Youth often find themselves fulfilling a parental role to other youth in the absence of adults in the home. They end up raising themselves and one another. This is why it is extremely important to have a positive caring adult in a young person's life to help nurture young people properly. The caring adult must be someone that the young person can trust in order to work through the problem(s). We can choose to live in a violent society or in a peaceful one. Children are crying out for our help. There are serious problems but, despite media reports, school violence has diminished. However, the severity of the violence has drastically increased. Parents, I urge you to meet with your school and to join you children's school PTSA group. As a member of this group you can assist in the prevention, intervention, crises response and implementation of safe school plans. Meet with the administrators about these issues and what school policy is implemented on critical incidents. School Safety issues, rules and procedures are paramount to ensure your child is safe in their learning environment.