Quantifying the problem of youth and family violence is very difficult, because violence between people who know each other is "the most common and least reported" crime, according to the FBI. Nevertheless, the FBI estimates that violence occurs in 20 to 30 percent of American households, reports "An Invitation to Health," a college textbook. Numerous factors at home and at school cause violent behavior by youths and family members.
Deaths
Homicides--2,076 deaths--and suicides, at 1,613, were the second- and third-leading causes of death among American 15-to-19-year-olds and the fourth- and third-leading causes of death among 10-to-14-year-olds in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC's statistics on family violence are less comprehensive. In 16 states, with 79.8 million people, 492 people were killed by their spouses in 2007, 75 parents were killed by their children and 157 children were killed by their parents.
History
Youth and family violence trends are going in opposite directions. Twenty-first century American teens "seem to be the least violent generation in decades," reports "An Invitation to Health," which cites statistics showing that murder, rape and robbery dramatically declined in the 1990s and early 2000s. In addition, the CDC reports that the number of students murdered at schools declined from 1992 to 2006.
However, family violence was "ignored" until the 1960s, and is increasing partly because it is reported more, according to "Essentials for Health and Wellness." One-third of all murders occur within families.
Early Causes
Youths become violent for several reasons, but conflict, stress and violence in the family household are crucial, according to "Essentials." Annually, approximately 16 million American children are abused so badly by their parents that they have to be taken to hospital emergency rooms. These children are more likely to become abusers themselves as adults. Youths exposed to family violence exhibit numerous symptoms, including tantrums, anxiety, depression, low grades in school, fatigue and social isolation.
Later Causes
Youths often become more inclined to commit violence if they are bullied by other students in school. The CDC reports that 19.9 percent of ninth- through 12th-graders were bullied on school property in 2009--21.2 percent of girls and 18.7 percent of boys. Bullying includes physical and verbal harassment and can "create deep-seated humiliation and desire for revenge," according to "An Invitation to Health," which reports that one-third of sixth- through 10th-graders have been bullied.
Environment
The United States is number one among all technologically advanced nations in murders per person, by a wide margin, according to "Essentials." The U.S. murder rate is eight times greater than second-place Italy and 40 times greater than last-place Japan. The higher youth and family violence rate has caused experts to cite other reasons beside violence at home and school. They include alcohol and drug abuse, easy access to guns, media violence and undiagnosed mental disorders, reports "An Invitation to Health."
References
- "An Invitation to Health"; Dianne Hales; 2003
- "Essentials for Health and Wellness"; Gordon Edlin, Eric Golanty and Kelli McCormack Brown; 2000
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Youth Violence: National Statistics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Youth Violence Prevention
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Violent Death Reporting System
