The Rise In Teenage Violence

Running head : Teenage Violence

The Rise in Teenage Violence

The Rise in Teenage Violence

Violence is on the rise among the teenagers in the USA . Teenage violence is the highest crime rate action in the communities and on the streets Considering the threatening rates of violent crimes against youngsters it is crucial to analyze the causes of this phenomenon in to have data for developing an effective problem-solving strategy . Substance abuse , dysfunctional families and poor financial conditions are the most influential factors that provoke youngsters to join gangs , rob , rape and

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Most youngsters are always ready to try something new . They enjoy new music , clothes , books and friends , and , of course , novel sensations That is why lots of teenagers try alcohol and drugs for the first time New , unexplored feelings and emotions attract them , and they agree to give a try . And , even if their curiosity is overcome by rational sense the pressure of friends , who offer a glass , a stamp , or a pill often overcomes all the parental and school influence

This is especially true for teenagers who are involved in gangs . Gangs usually have their strict rules , and sets of member criteria , and not giving a try to something other members of the gang consume may become a reason for serious conflict . Moreover it is often that substance abuse helps newcomers to get used to gang lifestyle , as it is much easier to break the law without being in clear mind . Alcohol and drugs often give an illusion of being powerful and courageous , diminish social barriers and make one believe that his /her actions will go unpunished . Between 1980 and 1997 substance abuse rates have risen dramatically , the same as overall crime rates did

Researchers claim there are other factors except for drug and alcohol abuse that cause such a growth of violence among contemporary youngsters . Psychologists and sociologists say , that young people tend to act as their idols do , so that when they see popular artists , actors and singers consuming alcohol , smoking , using illicit drugs , shooting and committing other violent acts on TV screen , teenagers little by little get used to the thought that those actions are normal , and moreover , needed to look cool . Grossman and DeGaetano in their book Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill : A Call to Action Against TV Movie and Video Game Violence (1999 ) pursue this idea even further , as they prove that media not only conditions children and young adults to violent behavior , but also teaches them the "mechanics of killing

Contemporary movies and videogames teach kids that killing enemies is a normal way out of the problematic situations , and it is often that kids can not tell difference between the world of films and games , and reality . Ballard (1999 ) claims in his study that there are many videogames that provoke hostility and aggressive behaviour in children and teenagers because of their blood-gushing , bone-crunching special effects

Another phenomenon which is also being considered as one of the causes of violence...