Term Paper on "Behavioral Science Analysis of Social Issue"

Term Paper 4 pages (1327 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Youth Violence

There is no question of whether youth violence is a problem within the United States. While the rate of crime and violence is on a general down trend, nationally, youth violence is rising consistently. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, there was a 40% increase in violent crime, and over 25% of those crimes were committed by juveniles (Snyder, 1994).

However, there are questions as to the causes of such violent behaviors among the juvenile population of the United States. Of the perhaps hundreds of possible answers, those within the psychological, social, and anthropological schools of thought are often perceived to be the best explanations. This paper will examine the reasons behind youth violence in the United States from all three perspectives, and will attempt to show that while a single factor alone may not cause youth violence, a combination of psychological, social, and cultural factors may blend together to form a breeding ground for violence among the youth of the United States.

Before examining the reasons behind violence, however, it is important to understand the scope of the problem. Between 1985 and 1995, there was a 249% increase in gun-related murders in the juvenile population. In fact, by 1992, firearm murders were the most increasing cause of death for black and white adolescents. Further statistics show that juveniles in 1994 were responsible for over 14% of violent crime, including 20% of all robberies, 14% of rapes, 13% of assaults, and over 10% of murders (FBI, 1995). Estimates of juvenile crime rates report that by 2010, youths between 10-17 will be arrested for violent crimes over twice as often than even the current statistics show (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1994).

As violence rises among the juveniles of the United States, the question occurs as to the possible causes of such increased violent activity. From a psychological standpoint, many researchers believe the cause to be internal, in that the problems arise from the psychological aspect of the youth. According to the American Psychological Association, one psychological reason for youth violence may be expression. The researchers note that, in some juveniles, the release of violence or anger is used to express their out of control emotions. Since youths generally go through multiple periods of hormonal changes, the youth often feels as through there are no answers to problems, and no way to deal with issues. As a result, they may begin to react violently (APA, 2004).

Additionally, the APA notes that, in the cases of some youths, violence is used as a way to manipulate situations in order to gain control. Teenagers, in particular, lead lives in which others are instructing them as to what they need to accomplish. The APA believes that, in some cases, these youths resent that control, and attempt to manipulate those in control through violent measures. Through threats and violence, the youths are then able to feel in control over their own associations (APA, 2004).

Coinciding with this need to manipulate situations, researchers also point to the possible reason for youth violence of retaliation. The APA states that, in some cases, violence is used again those who have harmed the individual, or the family, friends, or business of the individual. In an effort to "even" the playing field, youths may use handguns or other weapons to retaliate against wrongs done against them, in an effort to maintain their pride and dignity (APA, 2004).

Other researchers note that violence is a learned psychological behavior. In over 60% of juveniles arrested for violent behavior, the youths noted violent episodes in childhood, including having a parent arrested for violent crime, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, incidents of physical abuse, or violence against friends or family. Additionally, the psychological effects of violence in childhood, including the low self-esteem of abuse victims, early childhood neglect, the witnessing of violent situations at an early age, easy access to weapons, and a need for attention, all contribute as psychological causes for youth… READ MORE

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