THE 10 MYTHS ABOUT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS
Instructions:
The following exercise is about the 10 myths about school shootings. You need internet access to do the exercise.
Read the information about school shootings given in the attached links. You are NOT expected to read everything in every link – just skim the information and use what is relevant. I repeat – do NOT attempt to read everything in every link.
Some of the information given in some of the links is NOT correct. Therefore you should check the information against other sources to see if it is reliable or rubbish. Also be aware that some of the information you find in a link will be relevant to another one of the myths – not just the one where I have placed the link.
As you check each of the points, fill out the tables giving FOR and AGAINST arguments for each of the myths. Please list any links that you have used as part of your answer. Your answers should be given in point form (stikord).
When you are finished the exercise you must upload it to Ludus. It would also be a good idea to print out your exercise as we will be discussing what you have found out in class.
The 10 myths about school shootings – read more here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15111438/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/myths-about-school-shootings/
1. He didn't fit the profile.
http://www.janlhenriksen.dk/School%20violence/brenda_ann_spencer.htm
There is no profile. The attackers were of all races and family situations with academic achievement ranging from failing to excellent.
Too many innocent students would fit any profile and too many attackers would not.
Most, but not all, have been male, but otherwise the attackers varied a lot.
FOR | AGAINST | * Brenda Ann Spencer | |
2. He just snapped.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KElyLrrTLB0
The incidents of school violence were rarely sudden or impulsive. They did not just "snap". They progressed from forming an idea, to planning an attack, to gathering weapons. FOR | AGAINST | * Virginia Tech Shooting Confession * Columbine * Klip Kinkel | |
3. No one knew.
http://www.apfn.org/apfn/columbine.htm Before most attacks, someone knew about the idea or the plan. In most cases, those who knew were other kids: friends, schoolmates, siblings and others. However, this information rarely made its way to an adult. Most attackers engaged in behaviour before the incident that caused concern or indicated a need for help. FOR | AGAINST | | |
4. He hadn't threatened anyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGEkOR-LGyE http://tdn.com/news/local/teen-arrested-another-questioned-in-separate-school-shooting-threats/article_380ad7a4-4a18-11e2-8e94-001a4bcf887a.html Most attackers did not threaten anyone explicitly (I'm going to kill the principal), and most threateners don't attack anyone. But less explicit words can reveal an intention. A child who talks of bringing a gun to school or being angry at teachers or classmates can pose a threat, whether or not an explicit threat is made.
FOR | AGAINST | | |
5. He was a loner.
http://www.davecullen.com/columbine.htm In many cases the students were considered in the mainstream of the student population and were active in sports, school clubs or other activities.
Only 1/4 of the students hung out with a group of students considered to be part of a "fringe group". FOR | AGAINST | * Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold | |
6. He was crazy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/newtown-shooting-motive_n_2306876.html Only 1/3 of the attackers had ever been seen by a mental health professional and only 1/5 had been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Most did not have substance abuse problems either. Most did have some history of suicidal attempts or thoughts or depression or desperation. Most had difficulty coping with significant losses or personal failures.
FOR | AGAINST | * Adam LAnzer | |
7. If only we'd had a SWAT team or metal detectors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmeNJD-3uK8
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/columbine-armed-guards_n_2347096.html
Despite prompt police responses, most shooting incidents were over well before a SWAT team could have arrived. Metal detectors have not deterred students who were committed to killing themselves and others.
FOR | AGAINST | | |
8. He'd never touched a gun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xaiFLjZn_Y
Most attackers had access to weapons and had used them prior to the attack. Most of the attackers acquired their guns from home.
FOR | AGAINST | | |
9. We did everything we could to help him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGZsZDsPe5E Many attackers felt bullied, persecuted or injured by others prior to the attack and said they had tried without success to get someone to intervene. Administrators and teachers were targeted in more than half the incidents.
FOR | AGAINST | | |
10. School violence is rampant.
http://www.mibazaar.com/schoolshootings/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqygF6HwGZ4
School shootings are actually extremely rare. Even including the more common violence that is gang-related or dispute-related, only 12 to 20 homicides a year occur in the 100,000 schools in the US.
FOR | AGAINST | * Adam Lanzer | | 