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School Violence : Causes And Remedies
Educators and policy
makers have been grappling with the issue of violence in schools for decades, .Educators, psychologists,
psychiatrists, social workers, political scientists, anthropologists,
and
sociologists have all weighed in on the possible causes. Sifting
through
the theories can be overwhelming, and implementing effective violence
prevention programs is often frustrating. No wonder, then, that
teachers
and administrators often feel defeated when they confront the
dangerously aggressive behavior of some pupils. According to a federal
survey. Seventy-one percent of all public elementary and secondary
schools reported at least one violent incident during the 1999-2003
school years.
Causes:
Violent
behavior and the intent to act violently are potential symptoms of
numerous psychiatric disorders. Conduct Disorder, a state of
persistent
disregard for social conventions and rules and manifesting as criminal
and antisocial behavior before the age of 18, is perhaps the most
frequently mentioned diagnosis among violent youth. In addition
substance abuse and dependence can contribute substantially to
violent acts, either by reducing inhibitions among otherwise
nonviolent
students or by creating a climate through drug transactions in which
violence is central. More rarely, impulsive behavior found in
conditions
such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder can lead to violent
outbursts. Finally, diagnoses such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder,
Antisocial Personality Disorder, and a range of psychotic disorders
have been associated with the development of violent behavior among
youth.
In addition to certain psychiatric diagnoses, characteristics such as
low
verbal IQ, immature moral reasoning, poor parental modeling, poor
social skills, and lack of social supports have all been associated
with
the development of violent behavior in children. Studies examining
characteristics particular to the school environment have found that a
weakly structured school and a student's poor academic performance,
low commitment to education, and, perhaps most important, poor
attachment to the school are all strong indicators of potential
violence.
In addition, schools that tolerate physical and social aggression,
especially when perpetrated by elite student groups within the school,
are increasingly at risk for the outbreak of violence on or around
school
grounds. These characteristics alone are not sufficient to predict the
occurrence of violence.
Remedies:
Clinicians
and school officials must pay special attention to potential
motives for and means of committing violence. They must be willing to
discuss provocative and threatening journal writing and art projects
with
students and with designated school authorities who decide what
actions to take to protect the student and the school.
Listening to students who express concern about another student's behavior is particularly important. Ignoring violent behavior or wanting to let "someone else" deal with the problem is a normal parental reaction. Discussing with your child ways to protect themselves is not "scaring" them unnecessarily, but is equipping your child to not be a victim. There are things you can do to help your child if the unthinkable does occur. Studies of extremely violent behavior in schools have found that those who commit high-profile acts of violence have almost always made their intentions known to peers through direct or indirect communications. Educators must foster a setting in which students are comfortable making their concerns known to teachers and peers. Interventions both to curb and to address student violence must be multifaceted. Serious psychiatric disorders indicate the need for counseling and possibly medication. The treatment plan must integrate legal considerations.
Recent innovative approaches show promise for addressing violent
behavior in schools. One of them is Multi systemic Treatment, which involves multiple and active interventions for young people who commit
violence, has attracted increasing attention during the past decade.
Schools are an important setting for addressing violent youth, and the
extent to which students feel attached to their school has direct
bearing
on the likelihood of later and ongoing violence. Schools, therefore,
are
a necessary part of the complicated equation that will ultimately make
learning and development safer and more rewarding for everyone.
Reference
School violence. Journal of the American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(3), 377-379
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