AMERICAN YOUTH VIOLENCE

American Youth Violence

American Youth Violence

Introduction

Violence in youth has increased drastically in children US since the 1980's; this is due to expectations, their status in society, and the media. Aggressive behavior and violent acts in youth has always existed. Over time acts of violence has not only increased but also the age of which violent behavior is beginning at a younger age. According to Peter J. Carrington crime is increasing and the offenders that are committing these crimes are beginning at the age sometimes as young as seven "in 1991, police- reported that youth crime in US has reached its highest level ever." (2001: 38) There are many answers as to why this is, however one of the main answers is the inequality of youth and the more they strive to be heard as years progress.

Discussion

From when a child is born they are taught to listen to their parents until they are capable of being independent and supporting themselves. This places children beneath adults. Often this leads to children wanting to grow up, become independent and strive to be who their parents are. However, this is not possible because children are not equal to adults. Children are expected to obey parents and have a sense of independence. Society expects children to grow up faster and act like adults. However, not only do children adapt principles such as independence they as adapt behavior such as violence.

Some areas in a community are degraded by society and are looked upon as violent and dangerous neighborhoods; in turn this causes children that live there to acquire this stereotype and adapt to this behavior because it is seen as more expectable; which makes youth more susceptible to gangs and acts of violence. Often in bad communities, joining a gang is necessary for self-defense. This leads to violent behaviours that the youths have been exposed to while they were growing up and also been told it is the right thing to do if they are growing up in such a community. Low income families are also viewed in society as being more violent. It is thought that a family that has a low income results to violence and crime as a way to survive, or rebel. The stereotype that is placed on low income families and people in "bad" communities is a result of the images that the media portrays(GREENWOOD 89)

Media and Violence

The media has a way of encouraging violence and creating inequality for teens. In today's society our culture stresses the media, which portrays violence as a way of solving problems. Televisions, video games, movies, magazines and other forms of media have been showing violence more, so that it interests and intrigues the audience. Violence adds a sense of excitement and intrigue. Often shown in movies violent acts are caused by teenagers. This creates a stereotype of how teenagers are supposed to act and behave. This creates a sense of fear of teenagers, which demeans them and places them beneath adults in ...