What are the causes of violence in school?
Teenagers whose parents subject them to punishment at home are much more likely to have attacked somebody at school, than teens whose parents are not using violence against them. Statistics show that violent acts are also more likely to occur in schools where more than 25 % of the teachers have less than 5 years experience.
Bullying, including teasing and threats, rejecting others from different activities, physical intimidation,has been long spread in American schools. And for a long time, bullying was considered a normal part of growing up. It was only after bullying had been repeatedly pointed as one of the serious causes of violence in school throughout the 1990s, that parents and schools took a real interest in the consequences of bullying and how to stop or diminish this negative behavior. We also must include cyber bullying in this category.
How safe are schools?
Everybody having teenagers in high school asks themselves this question. But did you know that it’s actually safer to be in school than driving a car? Seriously, twice as many 15 to 19-year teenagers die in car crashes than in shootings, all shootings, not just the ones that happen in schools. So, the vast majority of teenagers have very slim chances of never experiencing violence at school. However, many schools have re-evaluated their safety needs as a result of the concerns of teens’ families. In some schools, guests may have to check in at the office or have more guards on duty, whereas some schools have installed metal detectors.
Another thing that helps schools become safer is greater awareness of problems like bullying, cyber bullying and discrimination. Many schools have already created programs to eliminate the causes of violence in school and to help teachers know more about protecting teenagers from this kind of violence.
Why does it happen?
School violence has always been something difficult to understand. Apparently, there are no reasons why teenagers become violent in schools. Some are just imitating acts they’ve seen at home, on the streets, in video games, movies and television. Sometimes, teens who become violent are victims of bullying who’ve just had enough and feel like they would do anything to stop it. Others may feel isolated and rejected by their classmates.
These are just some of the causes of violence in school and reasons why teenagers may become violent in schools. But there’s one thing experts have agreed upon: having such easy access to guns or other weapons makes it extremely easier for some teens to unleash their rage against the things or people they don’t like.
Understanding School Violence
Signs of Teenage Behavioral Problems