Violence Prevention: A Systematic Approach (From Violence in American Schools: A Practical Guide for Counselors, P 139-151, 2000, Daya Singh Sandhu and Cheryl Blalock Aspy, eds. -- See NCJ-185486)

• NCJ Number: 185494
• Author(s): Ann L. Bauer
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: American Counseling Assoc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The author believes that society has raised children with little empathy and has taught them violence is entertaining and revenge is cool and that schools should change the educational system in a systematic way to prevent youth violence.

Abstract

During the 1980's, a great deal of research was conducted to identify children at risk for school failure, drug use, early sexual experiences, and violence. Certain risk indicators were identified, such as low socioeconomic status, abusive homes, and a parent who had been incarcerated. As the ability to identify at risk children became more precise, researchers also identified children who had many strikes against them but who survived. Efforts were made to discover protective factors present in these children's lives that seemed to inoculate them against dangers in their lives. This avenue of resilience research offers hope for a cost-effective approach to prevention because protective factors appear to be similar whether prevention efforts are aimed at violence, early sexual experiences, or drug use. The authors consider the link between resilience and violence prevention, benefits of a wellness approach to violence prevention, and schools as caring and responsive organizations. They recommend school counselors and others in the school setting change the focus from a problem-centered to a resilience perspective and help students accumulate as many protective factors as possible. 12 references and 1 table