NCJ Number
161393
Journal
Youth Record Volume: 7 Issue: 24 Dated: (December 31, 1995) Pages: 1-3
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A national survey of 1,000 children ages 11-17 and personal interviews of 120 children ages 7-10 formed the basis of an analysis of health and safety risks to youth, as well as children's fears and perceptions of risks.
Abstract
The survey was sponsored by Children Now and Kaiser Permanente. Results revealed that 63 percent of children ages 7-10 and 42 percent of children ages 11-17 are worried that they might die young. Younger children are particularly worried about being shot or stabbed at school or home or being hit by an adult. The older children cite gangs, violence, and guns as the biggest threats to their health. Twenty-six percent of males ages 14-17 reported that they or their friends had been the victims of gang violence, and 39 percent reported that they or their friends had been threatened with a weapon. Sixty-four percent of children ages 7-10 wish for more information or someone with whom to talk about these issues. Forty percent of those ages 11-17 with high levels of exposure to health and safety threats share this desire for help, as do 40 percent of females ages 14-17. Older males are least likely (27 percent) to say they want help. The two main sources children trust regarding issues of health and safety are mothers and friends. Tables and 2 sources of further information