First of all, one has to understand the root of a matter to know which solution to apply; so according to the data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research, the causes of school violence lie within the school environment and also the personal and family factors play a key role as well.
The Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research in the USA believe that by establishing a firm and fair disciplinary policy and stopping racist behaviour and intervening with school bullying early can help reduce the amount of school violence. But students are more likely to have attacked someone if their school environment is as the following:
They also believe that if parents are the role model and do not condone violent behaviour at home or physically punish their children will also help reduce the amount of school violence. But students are more likely to have attacked someone if their home environment is as the following:
Studies showed that there are different levels of bullying at school and are all very alarming because there is an escalation to more and more harmful long-term consequences (Rogers, B. 2002), for example, a student might be grabbed or shoved on purpose one day and the situation can escalate if parents or teachers are not notified, and resulting in the student being punched or kicked or threatened or worse – being harmed by weapons.
Recently, a 17-year-old boy was stabbed outside Erindale College in Canberra, Australia, though he is not a student of that school, the police have yet to conclude the results of their investigation. It raises many questions, whether the people who stabbed him have accompanists inside the school ground or the mere idea of what a 17-year-old boy is doing outside of school at 1:00pm on a school day. This can be seen as sign for the schools, authorities and parents to realise that children’s violence behaviour take place both inside and outside of school, that actions should be taken immediately before more students are bullied or harmed. Perhaps local police should reinforce programs with schools to combat school violence or youth gang violence.
The following video shows the fights and school violence in Salisbury High Australia, it is shocking to see young boys and girls fighting among their fellow students; it is even more alarming to know that our young generation find it entertaining and that it is acceptable because it has become the new youth culture. Sadly, as the video showed that it is “naïve and worrying” of the ignorance from the authorities such as the Department of Education CEO Chris Robinson. It seems like while the government claimed to care about education and yet children are scared of going to school because they have been threatened or are simply worried they will be bullied or hurt.
“They’re only 13 year old girls, they should still be children, not thinking of where am I gonna pick up a knife and how am I gonna kill somebody”
Students admit that they do not believe their teachers or parents understand the school violence situations in the video below, especially because many of them are afraid to tell on their fellow students or report to their parents or teachers. Also many students state that weapons and drugs are more accessible than the parents or teachers would expect, they believe it is more frightful that they do not feel safe at school because so many of their peers have weapons or bring them to school.
The School Health Policies and Programs Study of Centres of Disease Control and Prevention in the USA state that there are a few methods to prevent school violence (Barrios, C. et el, 2001), through changes in society, school community, the family and the individual. Changes in society aim to reshape social norms and restructuring educational systems, though this method is very rarely used and difficult to implement. While changes in school community is easy to apply but are very problematic in the same time, schools will need to promote classroom management techniques, close student supervision and developing an anti-bullying program, which many schools do not have the funds or time to pursuit. In addition to receiving help from the society and school, one cannot forget the importance of family relationships; there are many intervention programs for both the parents and child to attend, in order to reduce aggressive conduct at home or at school. Finally, conflict resolution or social skills can be taught to individuals who have exhibited aggression and violent behaviours or are at risk for engaging in school violence.
If no further actions are to be taken on school violence and if this matter is being continuously ignored by students, parents and educators, what would happen to the younger generations when weapons become even more accessible?
Is this the future for our children?
