Youth Violence and Youth Deaths by Guns
Capella University
November, 2013

Abstract
This project will explore the history, cause, and preventive measures on the subject of problems with our youth. As adults the saying "The Children are our future" is fairly and accurately a true statement. With the changing of times, and economic problems within the urban communities, the children of our future are becoming more of the criminals, and inmates of the future. Violence and deaths among youths has become more of a problem than crimes, and violence among adults. Trying to reach youths that have falling victim to the "street life" seems to virtually impossible because the benefits from being in the streets are more appealing to the youths than getting those same benefits by going about it the right, and legal way.

Trying to understand why children kill has come to be a disturbing process. It seems that the youth of today have far more resources, and avenues to obtain a gun than the youth of the past. A study was conducted by Author Richard Tremblay, and some of his findings suggested that “Longitudinal studies of large samples of children from infancy to adulthood indicate that the peak age for physical aggression is between the end of the second and the end of the fourth year after birth. Fortunately, because of their size, physical aggression from two-year-olds does not constitute a major threat to the public in general.” (Richard Tremblay, 2007). Many youths have been subjected to harsh and in some cases life altering abuse as a young child. Being raised in a physical and mentally abused environment a child has raised the questions about just what type of affects this takes on the child(ren), and adults. There are so many factors that can contribute to why that a child is being abused. These problems can stem from poor living conditions, low income family, and parents separating. The rates of domestic violence in divorcing households have been compared with non-divorcing households. Some say that couples that divorce due to marital violence increases the chances of a youth becoming violent. Some warning signs listed by the APA/MTV program guide were, “loss of temper on a daily basis, frequent physical fighting, significant vandalism or property damage, increase in the use of drugs or alcohol, increase in risk-taking behavior, detailed plans to commit acts of violence, announcing threats or plans for hurting others, enjoying hurting animals, and carrying a weapon.”(American Psychological Association, 1998). Leading the way in how youths are killing themselves and others is by the use of guns. Access to guns by youths seems to have become more common than your average child graduating from 8th, or high school. After doing research on this topic the researcher found that in Chicago Illinois, there were more than 500 people under the age of 21 that were killed dating back to the year 2008, and many more have been shot or have otherwise in some way experienced violence. One Author found that the cause of guns on the mental and physical well-being of youths and adolescents has become an essential worry of the public. According to the Authors finding, “In 1994 firearms fatalities were the second leading cause of death for youths aging from 10 to 24; the risk of dying from a firearm injury more than doubled for youths aging from 15 to 19, and between the years 1985 and 1994(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1996). Youth violence has ventured outside the home and into schools, and even the internet. With technology changing just about every minute of every day, makes the limits of how one can reach out to other people. Children of today seem to gravitate to the internet because this is where a person can be as vocal, disrespectful as they want to be, and in some cases pretend not to be themselves. Understanding what cyber bullying is the use of electronic devices to send threatening, unwanted sexual texts or pictures, or any other non-wanting information of any kind on a constant basis. Cyber hostility behavior does not include the assumption that aggressive behaviors taking place through the electronic media are occurring repeatedly between the same individual and the victim. This can happen one or two times, or at very frequently. (Schoffstall, Choen, 2011). Coming up with ways to combat this problem has been harder, and just about impossible. Getting youths the opportunity and educational tools need to keep them from falling into the life style of violence, and crime is a positive way to start in turning epidemic around. According to Zeldin,” Youth engagement in community decision-making—be it in a school, youth organization, or community group- is increasingly viewed as an essential component of youth-development models. This is because youth involvement in the “adult world” has the potential to maximize youth’s sense of community with those around them while concurrently ensuring that youths have the opportunity to be active agents in their own development and to improve the communities in which they live.”(Camino & Zeldin, 2002). Being the researcher, He feels that the true help in lowering the chances of youth violence is the teachings starting at home. If the parents take more time, and pay more attention, and make the necessary adjustments needed to show the youth options, and teach self confidence, it will not only build self esteem within the youth, but will lower the thoughts, and temptations of wanting to commit any kind of violence among others or themselves.

The graph provides statistics on the crime rate in the suburb of Dolton, Illinois, the state of Illinois, and parts of the United States. The numbers are from the year 2010. Since moving in the Suburb 5 years ago, I have noticed the rise in certain areas of crime; most are being committed by young adults. Trying to cut these numbers down, the township began to enforce the curfew law more heavily. I also realized that not having stores staying open late and with public transportation stopping service at a certain time, this leaves less room, and time for crimes to be committed. Helping in this fight against crime the town of Dolton park district has implemented new programs for youths that will have them involved in education classes, after school programs, participating in sport programs, and other extra curriculum activities. To name a few of the organizations offering their services are; the Southland Prevention Coalition, whose purpose is trying to prevent and reduce incidents caused by underage drinking, drug abuse, unwanted sex acts, and other illegal behaviors among teenagers, and young adults. Dolton Girl Scouts, their aim is to shape and teach young ladies and help guide them into woman hood. The Dolton park district is the main source of helping shape and keeps young children, teenagers, and young adults on the right path. They offer sports programs for boys, girls, and coed groups, and also cheerleading. Thinking of ways to assist in this journey of crime reducing within my community, if given the opportunity to create and implement a program, I would first have the police department have more involvement with the community on a more relaxed level. Then I would create a mass community watch program, that would have a team on watch 24 hours a day, and with a rotating shift. To raise money for supplies, we would have community fund raisers as often as possible, and then go to local business to ask for their support because they too would benefit from the watch program. To make sure the watch program is a success and is running within the law, I would be in constant talks with the police department, and the town political team. Having all parties working on the same accord and toward the same goal will strengthen the entire process.

Reference
1). The Development of Youth Violence; Tremblay, Robert E., Europen Journal on Criminal Policy &Research; 2007, Vol.13 Issue ¾, p161-170, 10p, 2graphs
2).Shocking Violence; Moser, PH.D., ABPN, Rosemary Scolaro; Ph.D. Frantz, Corinne E., 2000, Charles C. Thomas Publisher LTD, Springfield, Illinois
3). www.ncpc. Org
4). Cyber Aggression: The Relation between Online Offenders and Offline Social Competence; Schoffstall, Corrie L.; Cohen, Robert; Social Development; Aug2011, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p587-604, 18p, 5charts
5). Gun Violence and Children: Factors Related to Exposure and Trauma; Slovak, Karen; Health &Social Work; Mar2002, Vol. 27 Issue 2, p104, 9p
6). Preventing Youth Violence Through the promotion of Community Engagement and Membership; Zeldin, Shepherd; Journal of Community Psychological; Sep2004, Vol. 32 Issue 5, p623-p, 19p
7). Image courtesy of; www.clrsearch.com
8). http://www.doltonparkdistrict.org