Youth Violence Program - Report Example

Youth Violence Program Table of Contents I. Introduction …………………………………………………………. 3 II. Analysis of the Major Problem Involving Guns and Drugs ………...3 a. Gun Violence among the Youth …………………………… 3 III. Proposed a Solution to the Problem ………………………………… 4 a. Building A Good Relationship Between the Parents and the Child ………………………………………………. 4 b. Contribution of Schools and Universities in Preventing Youth Violence ………………………………… 5 IV. Implementation of the Proposed Solution …………………………... 6 a. Building A Good Relationship Between the Parents and the Child ………………………………………………. 6 b. Contribution of Schools and Universities in Preventing Youth Violence ………………………………… 7 V. Conclusion …………………………………………………………... 7 References …………………………………………………………………… 9 Introduction For many years, a lot of teenagers have been reported being involved in youth violence such as bullying, threatening remarks, physical fights, gang violence, suicide, and assaults with or without the use of deadly weapons.1 Even though youth violence has always been a serious problem in the United States, the number of death reports and other serious physical injuries has significantly increased during the late 1980s and early 1990s.2 There is a significant relationship between youth violence and carrying of guns and drugs. During the late 1980s and early 1990s when the number of death reports and other serious physical injuries were significantly high is the same period wherein the population of teens started to carry guns and other deadly weapons. It was in 1994 when the rate of youth violence was at its peak.2 Since there are fewer teenagers who carry deadly weapons, the number of teen murder arrests has significantly decreased by up to 60% while the number of youth violent crimes arrest dropped by 36% as compared to 1994.3 The main purpose of this study is to create, develop, and implement a youth violence program that is effective in decreasing the number of violent crimes among the youth due to carrying of deadly weapons and drugs. Along with this topic, this study will discuss and analyze the major problems that may arise involving guns and drugs. Analysis of the Major Problem Involving Guns and Drugs Guns and Drugs Associated Violence among the Youth Normally, teens that commit serious violent acts are most likely to involved with other criminal or illegal behavior and lifestyle such as the use of prohibited drugs, carrying of deadly weapons, and reckless driving among others. Based on a research study, teens that has been engaged in serious violent acts before reaching the age of 13 are more likely to commit more serious crimes than those who started during the age of 16 or 17.4 The small group of individuals who started getting involved with crimes at a very young age is more likely to continue to engage in serious violence during adulthood. In most cases, children under the age of 13 who has committed or has been involved in serious criminal acts and behavior, the use of substance abuse, has a history of physical aggression towards other people are usually the individuals who belongs to parents with low educational level which results to poverty and/or having parents that are directly involved in illegal activities. The trend of adolescent induced homicides, crimes and offenses show that homicides with the use of firearm such as hand guns has increased almost three times since the mid-1970s. When guns are involved in adolescent triggered violence, the scenario becomes deadly.5, 6, 7 Proposed a Solution to the Problem Building A Good Relationship Between the Parents and the Child Considering that the family background molds the personality and behavior of an individual, it is advisable for a group of social psychologists to educate the parents on how to bring up a child who is less likely to commit serious criminal offenses, as they become teenagers and adults. A good relationship between the parents and the child as well as restricting an innocent child from having access to violent films, games, or movies on the television and other sources of media could prevent the child from getting involve in criminal acts as they grow up. Parents should always have an open communication with the child. Since children are not able to differentiate between fantasy and reality, it is the role of the parents to educate their child as to what is right from wrong. In case the child accidentally seen some violent acts being shown on the television, the parents should immediately discuss with the child that the acts being shown on the screen is not a very good example since it could cause harm to other people. In case cigarette smoking or drinking alcohol beverages are being advertised on the television, it is important for the parents to be able to educate the child regarding the adverse effects of forming these vices. The child’s personal outlook or mentality in life that is influenced by a strong positive bond or relationship between the parents and the child will eventually become the backbone of the child’s personality. As soon as the child starts to socialize with other people, he / she will not be easily influenced by peer pressure and friends as compared to those children who do not have a strong relationship with their parents. Contribution of Schools and Universities in Preventing Youth Violence The local schools and universities should educate the students that carrying deadly weapons such as guns could increase the chances of committing serious criminal offenses. It is necessary that the school strictly implement the school’s safety policies in terms of carrying deadly weapons with the school vicinity. As a strategy in minimizing the criminal violence in school, it is strongly recommended for the school administrators to encourage the students to report any possible threats of violence. As a standard operating procedure for the school’s safety, the school personnel should monitor the behavioral acts of those students who had a history of carrying guns, fighting, destroying school properties and/or other cruel acts of threatening the life of other students. The school administrators and personnel should consider all kinds of verbal and physical threats seriously. The educators should frequently assess and evaluate their student’s mental state. In case a psychotic or a mentally distorted student is showing some signs of negative emotions such as serious depression, hopelessness, despair, or anger, the educator should immediately take the necessary actions by consulting other professionals such as school personnel, the student’s parents, the law enforcement and other agencies that could help regarding the behavior of a particular student. Implementation of the Proposed Solution Building A Good Relationship Between the Parents and the Child The government should encourage psychologists and educational professionals to extend some time to collaborate and educate the parents in terms of the proper way of molding their child’s personality and behavior. Professional psychologists are encouraged to participate in this type of program in order to share some of their personal experience in dealing with parents and child relationship as well as providing the parents with an effective way of preventing their children from aggressive and violent acts or behavior. In line with teaching the right way to build a good relationship between the parents and the child, each local school should establish a twice a year seminar concerning the proper way of teaching the parents on how to control their child from becoming an aggressive and violent individual. Another strategic way is to come up with a monthly program discussing one particular issue each month which could be posted on the school / university websites under ‘parent’s column’ or print the said article to be mailed to the parents of each students. In comparison between the two proposed strategies, posting the parent-child relationship articles on the school and university websites is more cost efficient that printing and sending the article by post mail. However, not all parents may have sufficient time to go through the school and university websites in order to read through these articles. Contribution of Schools and Universities in Preventing Youth Violence The school administrators should implement a zero gun ban in school premises. The head of the school could enforce a strict security check for possible deadly weapons. It is possible for the school to invest in sensor or detector equipments that can be installed at each point of entry of the school compound in order to detect possible deadly weapon among the students or anyone who wishes to enter the school premises. In order to prevent drug addicts in school areas, each of the local school and university should implement a yearly drug test prior to the enrollment in each semester. The school administrator should also call the attention of the school educators to secretly search and report any possible signs of violent acts and behavior among their students. Implementing these rules could minimize and lessen the chances of admitting a possible violent individual in school premises and protect the lives of the innocent students. Conclusion Establishing a strong positive relationship between the parents and child could lessen the youth violent acts in the future. Parents are responsible in molding the personality, mentality, and behavior of the child. Therefore, parents should be given proper education on hold to develop their child’s perception in life through proper guidance on what is morally right from wrong. Since media could greatly influence the behavior of the child, the parents should closely monitor the type of media or show the child is watching. Schools and universities should highly be encouraged to protect their students by preventing possible youth violence within the school compound. As a strategic way of minimizing and preventing youth criminal acts in school areas, school administrators are responsible in implementing a zero gun ban within the school premises and impose a regular drug tests among the students prior to admission each school semester. *** End *** References: 1 Nansel TR, Overpeck M, Pilla RS, Ruan WJ, Simons-Morton B, and Scheidt P. (2001) ‘ Bullying Behaviors among US Youth: prevalence and Association with Psychosocial Adjustments’ Journal of the American Medical Association. 285(16):2094 – 2100. 2 Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Monitoring the Future Study, 1999. as cited in the Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics 1999. p. 201. 3 Snyder, HN. (2000) ‘Juvenile Arrests 1999’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention December 2000. 4 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001) ‘Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General’ 5 Howell, J.C. (1994) ‘Recent Gang Research: Program and Policy Implications’ Crime and Delinquency. 40(4):495 – 515. 6 American Psychological Association (1993) ‘Violence and Youth: Psychology’s Response’ Washington, D.C. 7 Zimring, F.E. (1986) ‘Gun Control’ Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine. 62:615 – 621. Read More