The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that juveniles account for 16 percent of all violent crimes including murder, forcible rape and aggravated assault. There are numerous theories on what causes teen violence yet no definitive answers. Some of the factors contributing to teen violence include environmental learning, underlying mental health conditions, and violence at home. Although there is not one cause for teen violence, the risks are increased when there is no parental supervision or when a teen has easy access to weapons.
Abuse in the Home
The CDC indicates that family and home risk factors may contribute to teen violence. When a child witnesses violence in the home, this increases the risk of the child learning violent behavior and displaying aggression in relationships. Although domestic abuse may not cause a teen to become violent, research reported by the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence indicates that children exposed to violence in the home have impairments in emotional and cognitive development and are at a higher risk for becoming violent themselves. A study reported online by Science Direct titled "Violence Is a Learned Behavior" indicates that children who witness violence are learning behaviors that condone aggression, often in inappropriate situations.
Social and Media Learning
Aggressive media such as television shows, new, and video games have an impact on teen learning. The influence of violent media may lead to acts of teen violence because the teen may not be able to tell the difference between reality and fantasy. According to the National Institutes of Health 2004 study titled "Violence in Teen Rated Video Games," the lack of realistic portrayal of the consequences of violence shown in video games often misleads teens into learning that aggressive behaviors are acceptable. Furthermore this study concluded that some of the video games provided incentives for teen players to commit simulated violent acts, which further reward aggression rather than educating teens on the consequences of violent behavior. Without parental education to distinguish reality from fantasy for teens, social and media modeling has a high-risk influence on potential aggressive behaviors.
Underlying Mental Health
The Mayo Clinic indicates that aggressive behavior, defiance, and hostility toward authority underlie a disorder in youth called oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). There are specific symptoms associated with ODD, and the symptoms must persist for longer than six months for proper diagnosis. A teen with underlying mental health issues may likely display acts of violence or aggression. Early detection may lead to decreased violence and offer pro-social behavior skill building. ODD is diagnosed by a trained mental health provider.
