Parenting and Youth Violence – Parenting Matters

3
Dec/09
0

Violence is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among youth. With slightly more than 1 in 3 high school students reported to be involved in a physical fight, this is a major social issue. For high school students almost 1 in 10 have been involved in dating violence and almost 1 in 3 had their property stolen or deliberately damaged at school. Thankfully, parents are not powerless as recent published studies show. I describe some simple steps parents can take.

Can we as parents influence our kids with respect to use of violence? The good news is that if our kids see us as disapproving of the use of violence to solve interpersonal problems then they were more likely not to engage in violent behavior. Interestingly, almost 40% of the parents indicated that they would tell their child it is okay to hit if another person pushes him or her. Perhaps for some parents, advising their child to fight back when provoked is the best way they think their child will be safe.

Using corporal punishment as a disciplining method by parents increased the risk of youth violence as reported in several studies. Seeing parents using corporal punishment may suggest to young people that the use of physical force in dealing with a problem is normal. Parents should clearly communicate to their children how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence and to model these skills themselves by avoiding the use of physical punishment.

In another study, it was found that among boys who had all the specific risk factors and none of the three protective factors, 71% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior at the time of the second interview. For boys who had none of the risk factors and all three protective factors, only 18% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior. Likewise, for girls who had all the risk factors and none of the three protective factors, 61% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior at the time of the second interview. Among girls who had none of the risk factors and all three protective factors, only 7% were predicted to be involved in violent behavior.

In summary to reduce youth violence, we need to strengthen families, enhance positive relationships with adults, encourage a sense of connection with school and improve academic performance. We also need to reduce weapon carrying, substance abuse, school problems and emotional distress. Finally, and most importantly, we know that witnessing or experiencing violence and being exposed to suicide attempts (and completions) of friends and family members endanger the lives and well-being of our youth.

As parents we have the power to reduce youth violence and improve our children’s lives. Lets seize that opportunity and stop the violence among our youth.

B. G. Smith, Author of NewLifeAfterDivorce. comGuides, articles and tips to successfully living life after divorce.

New youth boy's Hawk snow/rain boots size:6!$59.99 New youth boy's Hawk snow/rain boots size:6!$59.99
$28.50

NWT Boys, Vans,  Bearcat Shoes, Youth Size 2 NWT Boys, Vans, Bearcat Shoes, Youth Size 2
$29.99

Merrell Sight Lace Boys Sz 1 Youth Brown Leather Dress Casual Shoes NEW Merrell Sight Lace Boys Sz 1 Youth Brown Leather Dress Casual Shoes NEW
$29.99

SmartFit  Leather Brown Dress Slip-on Shoes Boys Youth Size 3 SmartFit Leather Brown Dress Slip-on Shoes Boys Youth Size 3
$7.99

youth boys designer shoe boot youth boys designer shoe boot
$12.00

SMART FIT LITTLE YOUNG BOY SANDALS SHOES SIZE 1 BROWN LEATHER YOUTH VELCRO SMART FIT LITTLE YOUNG BOY SANDALS SHOES SIZE 1 BROWN LEATHER YOUTH VELCRO
$12.99

Teva Churn Youth Kids Boys SZ 5 Blue Water Performance Shoes Teva Churn Youth Kids Boys SZ 5 Blue Water Performance Shoes
$49.99

Teva INVERSION Water Sandals Girls/Boys Youth Sz 3 Teva INVERSION Water Sandals Girls/Boys Youth Sz 3
$16.19

Nike Boy's Cleats Size 4Y 4 Youth Athletic Sports Shoes Black Outdoor Gear Nike Boy's Cleats Size 4Y 4 Youth Athletic Sports Shoes Black Outdoor Gear
$22.95

Teva Zilch Youth Kids Boys SZ 4 Green Open Toe Shoes Teva Zilch Youth Kids Boys SZ 4 Green Open Toe Shoes
$44.99



Oneida Paul Revere 3-Piece Child Set Oneida Paul Revere 3-Piece Child Set
$19.95

Many adults today grew up with the popular Paul Revere flatware pattern from Oneida. The comfortable look of this classic translates well into sets for children, such as this knife, spoon, and fork for the young child gaining enough coordination to eat on his or her own. The spoon bowl and fork head are not as rounded as those in the baby set, but the knife handle is sturdy and broad for a good gr...
Oneida Chateau 3-Piece Child Set Oneida Chateau 3-Piece Child Set
$19.95

CHATEAU 3pc Child Set, Stainless Steel contains: Child knife, Child fork, Child spoon This pattern has an easy care brushed finish on clean-simple lines. 18/8 Stainless Steel. Giftboxed...
Children's Stainless Steel Cookware Set 5 Pc. Gift Set including Sauté Pan, Stock Pot and Sauce Pan *Perfect Gift Idea* Children's Stainless Steel Cookware Set 5 Pc. Gift Set including Sauté Pan, Stock Pot and Sauce Pan *Perfect Gift Idea*
$29.95

Make real food! This is one of the best rated toy cooking sets. Little gourmets will love using this Stainless Steel Cookware Set. Set Sauté Pan, Stock Pot and Sauce Pan. This professional quality cookware is made of dishwasher-safe stainless steel. Sauté pan and stock pot are 4.75 inch diameter, sauce pan is 3.75 inch diameter. Serving utensils are not included. Set includes a lid for the sauce...
Indigo Teen Dreams: Guided Relaxation Techniques Designed to Decrease Stress, Anger and Anxiety while Increasing Self-esteem and Self-awareness (Indigo Dreams) Indigo Teen Dreams: Guided Relaxation Techniques Designed to Decrease Stress, Anger and Anxiety while Increasing Self-esteem and Self-awareness (Indigo Dreams)
$7.95

Indigo Teen Dreams allows teens to manage stress, anger, and anxiety while increasing self-esteem and self-awareness. Teens explore the research-based, stress-management techniques of breathing, visualizations, progressive muscular relaxation, and affirmations or positive statements. This straight forward, easy to follow approach encourages teens to take charge of their own feelings and stress. It...
Rather Ripped Rather Ripped
$7.49

It's been almost a quarter century since a youthful, avant-garde band with cut-rate guitars and an impetus for experimental noise burst into the New York underground, and it's very possible that as its 21st record to date, Rather Ripped is also Sonic Youth's most accessible. Familiar are Kim Gordon's distinctive oral tonality and the tangled sheen of guitar dissonance that plays out between Thurst...
MEN without HATS Collection MEN without HATS Collection
$11.98

Men Without Hat's bouncy classic "The Safety Dance" remains one of the defining moments of the early 1980s with its irresistibly catchy bass-line and Ivan Doroschuk's bold "We can go when we want to, the night is young and so am I." Beyond their biggest hit, these Canadian synth-popsters also put out a couple of exceedingly chipper albums. Songs like "Pop Goes the World" and "I Got the Message" ov...
Youth Basketball The Team Practice for Boys featuring Fran Dunphy and Gil Jackson [VHS] Youth Basketball The Team Practice for Boys featuring Fran Dunphy and Gil Jackson [VHS]

This instrumental video takes one step-by-step through a practice session, providing examples of drills and coaching tips. It is designed to aid the organization of team workouts into segments - warm-up, basic skills, new skills, team play, scrimmage, and free throws....
Youth Basketball: The Team Practice for Boys Youth Basketball: The Team Practice for Boys
$22.95

Featuring Fran Dunphy, Men's Basketball Coach from University of Pennsylvania and Gill Jackson, Assistnat Basketball Coach from University of Pennsylvania. Made in cooperation with The United States Olympic Committee. This video is a must for all youth coaches who want the most out of their p[ractice time. The tape concerns how to organize a practice session: how much time to devote to warming up,...
Is It A Boy or A Girl?: A Discovery Channel Documentary on Medical Management of Children with Amiguous Sex Anatomy Is It A Boy or A Girl?: A Discovery Channel Documentary on Medical Management of Children with Amiguous Sex Anatomy

This one-hour documentary was nominated for a GLAAD award for Outstanding TV Journalism. From the moment of birth, everybody wants to know is it a boy or a girl? This question can be complicated when a third option is introduced; one out of every two thousand children in America is born intersexual. Sometimes biology malfunctions and children are born with mixed sexual characteristics, in what is...


...

Comments (0) Trackbacks (0)

No comments yet.

Leave a comment

CommentLuv Enabled

No trackbacks yet.