Causes of School Violence
CAUSES OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE
School violence is a serious problem in public schools. Violence makes it difficult for students to learn. School violence includes gang activity, locker thefts, bullying and intimidation, gun use, assault, and drugs. Violence is carried out against students, teachers and staff, and ranges from intentional feuds to accidental killings of innocent bystanders. Frequently, discussions of school violence are lumped together with discussions of school discipline, as both involve questions of how to maintain order in a school.
The causes of school violence are complex and varied. Forensic psychologists who study criminal behavior believe school killers are very different from other violent youth, such as gang members or drug dealers. For whatever reason, they feel powerless and begin obsessing over killing or injuring others. They may make direct threats concerning those they feel are taunting or intimidating them. They often express these thoughts and plans to fellow students. In the prior centuries, no one would imagine that crime and violence at the public school level would mean rape, robbery, murder, arson, and many other heinous crimes; much like the crimes within the larger society (Bennett-Johnson, 1997a; Bennett-Johnson, 1997b).
Each case may represent a unique combination of factors. Some are physical, some behavioral, and others are learned. Physical factors can include birth complications. For example, being deprived of oxygen during the birth process can lead to brain dysfunction and learning disabilities. Violent behavior has been linked to certain forms of these abnormalities. Similarly, head injuries have been shown to increase the potential for violent behavior in certain individuals.
Learning violent behavior can come from a dysfunctional or abnormal home life, perhaps involving domestic abuse or parents who do not respond well to authority figures such as the police. From this type of home environment, youth learn
School violence is a serious problem in public schools. Violence makes it difficult for students to learn. School violence includes gang activity, locker thefts, bullying and intimidation, gun use, assault, and drugs. Violence is carried out against students, teachers and staff, and ranges from intentional feuds to accidental killings of innocent bystanders. Frequently, discussions of school violence are lumped together with discussions of school discipline, as both involve questions of how to maintain order in a school.
The causes of school violence are complex and varied. Forensic psychologists who study criminal behavior believe school killers are very different from other violent youth, such as gang members or drug dealers. For whatever reason, they feel powerless and begin obsessing over killing or injuring others. They may make direct threats concerning those they feel are taunting or intimidating them. They often express these thoughts and plans to fellow students. In the prior centuries, no one would imagine that crime and violence at the public school level would mean rape, robbery, murder, arson, and many other heinous crimes; much like the crimes within the larger society (Bennett-Johnson, 1997a; Bennett-Johnson, 1997b).
Each case may represent a unique combination of factors. Some are physical, some behavioral, and others are learned. Physical factors can include birth complications. For example, being deprived of oxygen during the birth process can lead to brain dysfunction and learning disabilities. Violent behavior has been linked to certain forms of these abnormalities. Similarly, head injuries have been shown to increase the potential for violent behavior in certain individuals.
Learning violent behavior can come from a dysfunctional or abnormal home life, perhaps involving domestic abuse or parents who do not respond well to authority figures such as the police. From this type of home environment, youth learn
Cited: Bennett-Johnson, E. R. (1997a). An introduction to the development student and antisocial behaviors on the college and university campus. Educational Research Quarterly. 21(1), 29-13. Bennett-Johnson, E. R. (1997b). The emergence of American crime and violence on the college and university campus. College Student Journal. 31(1), 129-136. Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2002). Criminal victimization in the United States, 2000. Washington, D. C.: The United States Department of Justice.