Youth Violence

 

 

Youth Violence

 

“Violence is anything that denies human integrity and leads to hopelessness and helplessness.” (Marin Luther King Jr.)

Interpersonal violence perpetrated by youth is a problem in every society. Youth violence can take many forms: bullying, gender and racial harassment, sexual assault/rape, gang violence, gun use, and ‘hate’ crimes. Some blame the mass media, particularly music, sports and video games, for glorifying violence and desensitizing its viewers; while others its our structural culture of violence, war and instability.

 

 Youth violence is disturbing because it can cause a lot of psychological damage to a person’s sense of self at a critical identity-forming time in one’s life.

 

And youth who exhibit violent behaviors early will likely continue to act in destructive ways over the course of their adult life.

Anti-violence activists, such as The Oakland Men’s Project believe that the power dynamics in society promote conflict, but also that the origins of violence in human development can be traced back to a child’s early interactions with adults. Children and youth who have been repeatedly put-down, neglected or abused, will internalize negative thoughts about themselves; those who experience domestic violence often accept violent behavior as the norm. For protection, the child puts up barriers, hurts him/herself, or hurts others, most often of a non-power group.

Furthermore, gender socialization based on masculine/feminine ideas encourages aggressive and passive behaviors; boys learn to hide their emotions and take control of situations. Girls are socialized to obsess over their appearance and act in well-mannered ways.

In order to transform violence into better conflict resolution, youth must have input on issues that concern them. As we all learn the origins and consequences of violence, we become better equipped to resist and prevent it in our own lives.

 

Whether it is your brother or a stranger, treating people with respect is important in creating a peaceful and tolerant society. When people are treated respectfully, they generally treat others in the same fashion. Having respect for those around you can create a ripple effect that spreads respect throughout your community!