Does Learning How to Properly Express Oneself Help - Dissertation Example

Social scientists believe violent crimes to be crimes of expression. While conducting motivational speaking sessions at schools in New Orleans, I have noticed that there are not many school-based programs in the district. The programs that currently exist do not look at the juvenile problem of violence as a possible problem of expression. Disciplinarian measures such as suspension and expulsion along with tight security methods seem to be the proposed solution to the problem of school violence.

In this state of ‘tight security to curb juvenile violence, the study offers an innovative method - creative expression as a means of violence reduction, of juvenile violence prevention. This approach is novel, as no such programs currently exist, especially in New Orleans. Problem StatementDespite data showing reductions in violent crime nationally, youth violence remains a serious problem (Feder, Levant, & Dean, 2010). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistic, more crimes are committed against students ages 12-18 at school than away from school (Roberts, Zhang, Truman, 2010).

Students who ranged from ages 12-18 experienced approximately 1.2 million nonfatal crimes at school compared to about one million nonfatal crimes away from school. The figures represent total crime victimization rates of 47 crimes per 1,000 students at school and 38 crimes per 1,000 students away from school. The number of school days in a year is essentially equivalent to the number of non-school days in a year. Despite the balance of days between school and non-school days, most (63%) violent crimes committed by juveniles occur on school days (OJJPD, 2010).

Violence is the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among young people (Hammond, Haegerich, & Saul, 2009). According to 2008 FBI statistics, New Orleans had the highest per capita murder rate in the nation (Murder Capital Title, 2009). The intersection of teen violence and the murder capital was evident more than ever in 2006. As New Orleans was scrambling to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans emerged as the murder capital once again. Five teenage juveniles ranging from ages 16-19 were gunned down in one incident.