NCJ Number
183692
Date Published
1999
Length
225 pages
Annotation
This book is addressed to adolescents and adults who work with youth and aims to increase their understanding of the causes of violence, weapon carrying, and extreme behaviors in schools and communities; the histories of youth conflicts; and ways that students, peer mediators, teachers, and community members can address violence.
Abstract
In a recent survey of youth ages 10-19, 40 percent felt that the threat of violence was always present, 38 percent had changed their routines due to concern about violence, and 30 percent reported having been physically threatened in the past 30 days. The analysis also examines weapon carrying, fear of violence, the impacts of media violence, gangs, the influence of the home environment, child abuse, deficiencies in the juvenile justice system. Further sections consider approaches, including mediation, counseling, and after-school programs, to prevent upset youth from inflicting violence on their classmates. The final section offers suggestions for youth on how to be good listeners and support persons for their peers, talk and mediate rather than engage in conflict, take the lead in making it clear that any form of harassment is not funny or socially acceptable, and sponsor activities related to violence prevention. It also advises youth to deal with their fears and perceptions, become a mentor or role model, know their legal rights and responsibilities, avoid guns, and become involved in community action. Appended lists of facts and violence prevention suggestions, list of resource organizations, index, suggested readings, and 17 references