NCJ Number
89600
Date Published
1980
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This survey of social workers and teachers regarding the causes and cures of violence in schools revealed potentially serious variation in the interprofessional and intraprofessional perceptions of this problem.
Abstract
A questionnaire proferring 'causes' and 'cures' of violence in schools was simultaneously given to 97 teachers and 54 social workers. The teachers were from secondary schools in a northern industrial area. There was a consensus between the professions of about 60 percent on nearly three-quarters of the 'causes' of violence in schools and about 70 percent agreement on 'cures.' Of the 64 causes, 20 were directly attributable to the child; 9 were concerned with parents; the teacher and his/her training accounted for 7 causes; the school was mentioned in 12 instances; and society in general was viewed as a cause of violence in 16 items. Social workers tended to be less critical of either child or parent, were less concerned with discipline issues, and tended to be more egalitarian. While almost a third of the 'causes' were attributed to the child and parent, only four of the suggested 'cures' directly involved the parent or child. 'Cures' that could be initiated by the schools were most preferred. Not only were there marked differences in the perspectives of teachers and social workers, but there were also significant differences of perspective within the groups, as some teachers departed from the group mentality by being more sensitive to the social conditions that spawned violence, while some social workers tended to be judgemental and punitive toward children and parents. These differences tend to undermine the viability and reliability of so-called professional judgments. Thirty-nine references are provided, along with the questionnaire and the responses categorized according to profession.