Violence in Schools - Research Paper Example

 VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS ABSTRACT It is not surprising to observe that in the recent past violence and especially school violence has been on the rise with incidences such as the Columbine shootings. This has also brought about more awareness to the subject matter as the actual occurrence of violent death in academic institutions is considered rampant. In this research paper, the topic of violence in schools will be investigated and discussed where topics such as types of violence, causes of violence especially in schools and recommendations as to how this menace can be controlled will be incorporated. This research will also include a few statistics regarding the prevalence of violence in school even though violence exists in different forms depending on the academic institutions as well as states. THESIS STATEMENT Violence in schools has been on the increase in the recent past and it is high time educators and the general community came up with solutions to preventing this menacing vice from taking place in future. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ABSTRACT 2. INTRODUCTION (i) Definition and Causes of Violence (ii) Statistics on Violence in Schools (iii) Recommendations on the Prevention of Violence in Schools 3. CONCLUSION 4. REFERENCES INTRODUCTION The term violence has been common since time immemorial and has also in the recent past been used in a number of situations within today’s society. Violence refers to use of physical force to harm others or property (Elliott, Hamburg & Williams 1998). Violence tends to cause misery and physical pain for those experiencing it directly and anyone including children is prone to violence. As earlier mentioned violence has been on the increase in today’s society and is currently perceived to be a social and health menace which needs to be dealt with as soon as possible (Chui, 2006). It is rather unfortunate that majority of those who tend to experience or witness violence in its different forms rarely report to the concerned authorities for instance the law enforcement. As a result many incidences of violence in the different environs have gone unreported and unheard thus increasing such cases in the community. There are numerous forms of violence for instance domestic violence which tends to take place mostly within the family unit, sexual violence which includes intimate partner abuse, marital rape and child sexual abuse, community violence which includes shootings, peer violence and assaults as well as media violence which is commonly reflected in film, video games and on television (Freedberg, 2007). Majority of individuals tend to question why violent behaviors are common or even tend to occur in the first place. Research studies have indicated that violent behavior are caused by different factors, some of which are inherent but most of which are learned from witnessing or experiencing violent behaviors by others, especially from those considered role models (Chui, 2006). Some experts argue that violence is genet in that chromosomes tend to carry genetic messages that are relayed from parents to their offspring where some of these messages may be aggressive in nature thus inherited. Violent behaviors can also be caused by other factors such as alcohol and substance abuse which tend to interfere with one’s better judgment or actions, brain injury which may tend to bring about aggressive or angry behavior in the injured individual and desensitization which is actually considered a huge contributor to violence in today’s society (Elliott, et al. 1998). Statistics showing how rampant Violence in Schools is Psychologists and professional researchers have in the recent past realized that children learn by imitation as well as by observation. This means that whatever goes on in their homes they are most likely to ape or imitate it once they are outside their home environment. Children who observe their media, school or home role models acting in a violent manner may grow up believing that expressing angry feelings through angry actions is acceptable and also the most effective manner of solving issues that may come up (Elliott, et al. 1998). Parents no longer realize the fact that children especially in this day and age are fast learners and quick to experiment on what they observe unlike how it was in the past. It is this same aggressive behavior that such children tend to take to their school environment and this is part of the reason as to why violence in schools is on the increase. It is common for majority of schools and especially teachers to brush off or rather ignore cases of school violence but it is important for them to keep in mind that school violence is prevalent. According to recent statistics 270 violent deaths have so far been recorded since 1992 at schools in relation to school violence where majority of these deaths were as a result of shooting (Elliott, et al. 1998). It is considered fortunate that most school violence does not result in death. Other statistics regarding school violence revealed that an estimated 10% of all public academic institutions had a record of one or more serious violent crimes ranging from rape, suicide to robbery (Elliott, et al. 1998). Another 57% of public elementary and secondary school principals cited that more than one incidents of violence were reported to the law enforcement. Researchers have observed that a large percentage of violence in schools take place in city schools as well as large schools as compared to private schools (Radey, 2008). Incidences such as the Columbine high school shootings are a grim reminder of just how serious violence in schools can get and majority of individuals have often wondered what exactly causes or rather leads to students engaging in school violence. Researchers have observed that school violent statistics do not match the norms in the larger society where many violent acts have increased amongst teenagers and children (Elliott, et al. 1998). It is often thought that school violence limits itself to the student population but this is not the case so far. An estimated 8% of educators have cited the fact that they are often threatened with violence on school grounds where 2% of them report being actually physically attacked per annum (Elliott, et al. 1998). Gone are the days when students did not have access to media violence which has apparently heightened violent behaviors within and without the school environment. Academic institutions themselves have rapidly transformed especially with the onset of technological advancements since the year 1950 which has introduced a wide range of students hailing from different social environments. Considering the fact that these students have been brought up in different neighborhoods, those coming from violent and abusive families are the ones who tend to exhibit aggressive or violent behaviors towards their peers and even their educators (Elliott, et al. 1998). Recent research shows that in the course of the early 1990s teen gun violence rose drastically in the US as more and more teenagers were able to gain access to weapons resulting in an increase in gun deaths as well as injuries. Statistics reveal that approximately 85 teens die violently in the United States academic institutions as a result of gun violence in schools where 75% of these incidences involve firearms. One is left to wonder how students and especially teenagers come into contact with firearms which they are able to carry to school. According to a recent report it is estimated that about 35% of homes in America with children under the age of 18 years are in possession of at least one firearm meaning that about 11 million children in the United States live in homes that are in possession of such (DuBois et al, 2007). These are the same children who witness or experience violence in their homes and take out their anger on their peers once they are in school. Additionally, majority of children in the United States and around the world today tend to witness a lot of violence via the media. This makes them believe that violence is justified in as far as anger and ill feelings towards others are concerned thus leading them to bring about violence in schools. Recommendations on how to prevent violence in schools It is easier to think that violence in schools cannot be stopped or handled due to it rampancy within today’s society. It is however important to remember that not all students engage in violent behaviors in schools and it is this little hope that should be a source of encouragement for those trying to fight this rising menace. Even though the family as well as the entire community depend on academic institutions to shelter, discipline and educate their children, majority of schools find it challenging to play numerous roles as surrogate parents, social service, law enforcers or educators (Cooper, 1995). As earlier mentioned there are a number of reasons as to why students or rather young adults become violent at schools for instance due to domestic violence, poverty which results in discontentment and anger, drug culture, violent imagery as exhibited by the media and video games and also high parent expectations and competitiveness (Elliott, et al. 1998). It is however possible for academic systems to implement a number of strategies as a way of preventing violence in schools. Every parent should try taking their child to an academic institution considered to have a relatively secure learning environment so as to ensure that this child doe not fall prey to school violence. Bullying is one of the forms of violence in schools and therefore it is important for students to report to the concerned authority of such occurrences to prevent its escalation (Elliott, et al. 1998). Academic institutions should have programs meant to teach students constructive ways in which they can be able to deal with their problems as compared to resulting to violence and destruction as may be observed within their families. Keeping in mind that some students may express fear with regards to reporting violent behaviors by their peers the school administration can make a point of investing in security equipment such as metal detectors and cameras which ought to be placed strategically in places where the students spend their leisure (Cooper, 1995). Another recommendation that can be made in an effort of preventing violence in schools is by encouraging parents to become involved in their children’s lives for instance by asking them how their day was and if they experienced any problems while in school. In this way, children will learn to open up and trust their parents enough to report of any violent or aggressive behaviors exhibited by their peers. CONCLUSION The past 5 years have left parents, teachers as well as students shaken and nervous following the recent incidences of violence such as the one which took place in Columbine High. Violence in schools has escalated to the point that even teachers are threatened outside the school compound which has made them fearful of living their normal lives. Such are the concerns which have led to societies wanting to find a solution to this menacing problem which is affecting the lives of children and teenagers. That is why it is important for schools to develop programs where students as well as teachers can be counseled and where strict policies and guidelines regarding violence in schools can be taught to students as a way of preventing future violence in academic institutions. Once such policies are implemented, students will grow up to be responsible citizens of the community who are capable of handling their problems not with violence but through constructive means. REFERENCES Elliott, D. S., Hamburg, B. A., & Williams, K. R. (1998). Violence in American Schools: A New Perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press. Chui, W. H. (2006). Social Work and Human Services Best Practice. Leichardt, N.S.W.: Federation Press. Cooper, J. L. (1995). Cooperative Learning and Critical Thinking. Teaching of sociology , 22(1). Pp. 7 – 8. Freedberg, S. (2007). Re-Examining Empathy: A Relational-feminist Point of View. Social Work, 52(3). Pp. 251 – 259. Miley, K. K., O’Melia, M. W., & DuBois, B.L. (2007). Generalist Social Work Practice: An Empowering Approach. 5th Edition. Boston: Ally & Bacon. Radey, M. (2008). Frontline Welfare Work: Understanding Social Work’s Role. Families in Society, 89(2). Pp. 184 – 192. Read More