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The Effects of Teenage Violence on the African American Community

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The Effects of Teenage Violence on the African American Community
The Effects of Teenage Violence on the African American Community
Herman McBride
Axia College of University of Phoenix
With the increasing amount of stress placed on the African American community, teenage violence has become an issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. Before anything can be done about it however; one must begin with what causes it. Although we can point the finger to a number of things, life at home and school as well as opportunities and economic conditions are considered by many to be the main causes. These have led to many negative issues in the African American community. Teen violence not only contributed to the high homicide rates of African American youths ages 10-24 but also to the decline of property value in these areas. To combat these issues, Americans need to come together and show the youth there are people that care and want to be positive role models and provide them other ways to express themselves other than acting out in violent ways. The cause of teenage violence can be attributed to many things. One of the main factors in teenage violence is what the teen has been subjected to at home and at school. Another factor is frustration due to the lack of positive opportunities and role models combined with poor economic and learning conditions. According to “Family First Aid” (2004), exposure to violence and family conflict, harsh discipline practices, lack of involvement in the child’s life, and no discipline are all issues in the home that can contribute to a teen participating in violent activities. In their teenage years, children are very impressionable and should be given proper direction to ensure they go in the right direction. Witnessing constant violence in the home could cause the teen to think these things are natural and carry them out outside of the house. The beliefs that they don’t belong and no one cares for them at home, which is brought out by little or extreme discipline and lack of involvement in



References: Barker, C. (2009). Violence begetting violence. New York Amsterdam News, 3-36. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Center for Disease Control (nd). Youth Violence: National Statistics. Retrieved December 9, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/youthviolence/stats_at-a_glance/hr_race-sex_05.html Livingston, J., & Nahimana, C. (2006). Problem Child or Problem Context: An Ecological Approach to Young Black Males. Reclaiming Children & Youth, 14(4), 209-214. Retrieved from Professional Development Collection database. Lykken, D. (2000). The causes and costs of crime and a controversial cure. Journal Of Personality, 68(3), 559-605. Retrieved from MEDLINE with Full Text database. Ngwe, J., Flay, B., & Segawa, E. (2004). Violence Prevention Among African American Adolescent Males. American Journal of Health Behavior, Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Seidel, J Facts about Teen Violence. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from http://www.eHow.com Teplin, L., McClelland, G., Abram, K., & Mileusnic, D. (2005). Early Violent Death Among Delinquent Youth: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. Pediatrics, 115(6), 1586-1593. doi:10.1542/peds.2004-1459.

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