Teen Boys and Violence

Teen Boys and Violence

Dr. James Garbarino's book, Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them, has been called "an impressively well-researched, and thoughtful study of why some American boys become violent, even murderous."

Following is some information from the book.

Warning Signs

Factors that contribute to child violence among boys:

• Child abuse
  
• Involvement with gangs
  
• Substance abuse
  
• Carrying weapons
  
• Previous arrests
  
• Neurological problems
  
• Difficulties at school

Violence Prevention

Factors that can save boys from a violent culture:

• Prenatal care
  
• Parent education
  
• Early intervention to handle attachment problems
  
• Early childhood education
  
• Early intervention in cases of aggressive behavior
  
• Violence-prevention programs in schools and the community
  
• Character education
  
• Using the positive power of peer groups
  

Statistics

Quantifying violence in boys' lives:

• Juvenile arrests for possession of weapons, aggravated assault, robbery, and murder rose more than 50 percent from 1987 to 1996.
  
• While the overall youth-homicide rate dropped in 1997, the rate among small town and rural youth increased by 38 percent.
  
• Children who are abused are more than 7 times likely to develop problems with aggression.
  
• In 1997, 28 percent of adolescent boys reported carrying a gun, knife, or club.
  
• In 1997, 20 percent of high-school-aged boys were in physical fights on school property.
  
• Child abuse and neglect rose from 14 per 100,000 in 1986, to 23 per 100,000 in 1993.