American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [235]
Violence and Teens
Children are harmed emotionally and developmentally, as well as physically, when they are exposed to or experience violence. Exposure to violence (either actual or through media such as movies) can rewire a child’s brain in ways that can make him or her more prone to aggressive behavior later in life. There is no precise profile of someone who will commit acts of violence but, in addition to exposure to violence, risk factors include alcohol or drug abuse, being a victim of child abuse or neglect, being a gang member, and having access to a gun. In the United States, guns are responsible for most of the deaths of people between ages 15 and 24. Violent behavior usually peaks by age 16 or 17, but the vast majority of teens who have been violent stop committing violent acts by the time they are 21.
It is usually the interaction of a number of influences over time that can make a teen violent. Good parenting and the love and acceptance of even just one caring adult can often help teens gain confidence and social skills, set positive goals to strive for, and serve as buffers against potentially harmful biological or environmental influences.
WARNING!
Could Your Child Become Violent?
Violent teens may show signs of having emotional or behavioral problems long before they behave violently. Consult a doctor or mental health professional if a child or teen:
• Damages property
• Hurts animals
• Frequently loses his or her temper or gets into fights
• Carries a weapon or is a member of a gang
• Bullies another child (or is being bullied)
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs
• Is easily frustrated and feels that he or she is being treated unfairly
• Has low self-esteem and seems depressed
• Seems to have no friends and is often alone
• Is verbally abusive or threatens others
• Is truant or has a history of discipline problems in school
• Has extreme mood swings or has talked about committing suicide
Bullying
Nearly half of all schoolchildren are bullied by another student at some time during their education. Bullying is defined as a pattern of repeated aggression against or negative behavior toward a person. Boys are more likely to be bullies than girls, and boys usually bully other boys; girls tend to bully other girls. Bullying can take the form of physical attacks (such as hitting, kicking, or pushing), verbal attacks (such as name-calling, insults, or teasing), or psychological attacks (such as intimidation, spreading rumors, or persuading other children to reject or exclude the child). Boys who are bullies usually use physical force or threats, while girls are more likely to use verbal or psychological attacks.
Bullies are usually children who have themselves been victims of physical abuse or bullying, usually at home. They tend to be aggressive, controlling, and dominating, and often have an inflated self-image and difficulty empathizing with other people. By contrast, the victims of bullying tend to be introverted, passive, and easily intimidated, and frequently are seen by classmates as being different in some way (such as by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, academic ability, or unusual haircut or clothing).
If you think that your child is a victim of bullying, or if you are concerned that your child may be a bully, quickly take steps to stop it. Bullying can have long-term consequences for both victims and bullies. Victims of bullying often try to avoid going to school, and their academic performance may suffer. Many victims have difficulty socializing, have low self-esteem, and frequently become isolated and depressed. In extreme cases, victims may consider or attempt suicide (see previous page). Children who are bullies are more likely than other children to be truant from school, drop out of school, or get into fights. They also are more likely than other children to commit a crime