| |
There are many reasons for violence and many variables. This makes it very difficult
to pinpoint a single cause or indicator for preventing violence. The more you
learn about warning signs and indicators, the more you can do to catch problems
before they turn into major acts of violence or murder. Some reasons for violent
behavior are listed here but please take the time to learn about variables and
intervention. Trying to intervene when someone is having a violent episode must
be done with extreme care and caution as such actions can often backfire.
Expressive acts of violence are when an individual expresses feelings through
violence. This can be feelings of anger, frustration, guilt, fear and others.
The person has not learned how to effectively communicate the feelings or have
been taught that expression of feelings is wrong. This is most common in males.
They are taught that men do not cry and men do not share feelings, men do not
whine, etc. These ideas are taught not only through verbal means but also
through non-verbal methods such as a father who never expresses feelings, avoids
conversations where feelings may be expressed etc. Through being taught that
problems should be ignored instead of being dealt with or spoken about. These
are turned internally and the individual suppresses the feelings and losses a
sense of control. This can internalize and turn a "typically calm
individual" into a festering volcano just waiting to erupt.
Manipulative acts of violence are used to get a desired response or action
from another using the fear of violent acts. A child, youth or adult who does
not feel that it is acceptable to ask others for help or assistance in certain
areas may turn to violence as a way of getting what they want. They may feel
that this is acceptable as they are demanding the actions of the other through
the threat of violence and are not directly asking for the persons help. This
helps the individual to feel as though they maintain full control of the
situation which they would feel they have lost some level of control if they
were to ask for the help. They would feel as though they have lost the control
over themselves at the same time and as such feel defeated and as a failure.
They do not see it as a sign of strength to be able to admit when help is needed
with any task.
Internalized Reversal acts of violence are where one internalized so much
anger, hatred, fear and guilt that they feel a sense of control over their own
life and or situation has been lost. A simple example of this is when a child
experiences or witnesses acts of violence and abuse at home. Whether against
themselves from parents or siblings through to the witnessing of spousal abuse
etc. The child is fearful of the person inflicting the harm. They are afraid to
speak out against they person for fear of further injury or abuse against
themselves or persons they care about. The take that fear, anger and frustration
to school with them. they then act in a bullying way or violent way to act out
the situation they are experiencing at home. The violence is directed as persons
they feel they can control. They turn that into a sense of empowerment that they
do not have at home. They typically do not feel good about the acts on others
and experience a great deal of remorse. They will create superficial reasons for
the violence if called on it by teachers or others in a sense of authority as
they do not want to give any hint of the real reasons behind these
actions.
Self-Defensive acts of violence are when an individual perceives the only way
to protect themselves from injury, bullying or public humiliation is to deal
with the conflict through violence. They have not been given the tools to deal
with conflict in a non violent manner. This can be curbed by seeking out various
forms of non-violent conflict resolution. The reason for the various methods is essentially
that no one solution will work with every type of personality. The more options
taught, the higher the success of reducing conflict in violent manners. When a
person feels that the only methods of non-violent conflict resolution they have
been taught do not work, they feel that they only have one alternative,
violence. The more children and youth understand about asking for help with
conflict resolutions, the more likely they will ask for that help. When only a
few methods are taught ad they are told that these "WILL WORK", they
are being told that they are the problem in the event that they do not work.
Children and youth should know that if they are taught methods of resolution and
they do not work, that there are many other methods and that certain methods are
not going to be effective in all situations and for all people. Situations can
be as diverse and unique as the personalities of the people involved. They need
to know that if it does not work, they should look for or ask for other ideas
without resorting to violence.
The important thing to remember about violence is that the further society
allows acceptance, the further the levels of violence will increase.
Violence is learned and thus, violence prevention can be taught. from learning
about violence in the media, video games, witnessing violence at home and
watching violence in sport, we need to all take responsibility for our own
actions. We need to further educate parents on violence prevention and hold
children and youth accountable for their actions. When the children and youth
feel that it is acceptable, they continue the anti-social acts. No parent wants
to see their own child as a danger to themselves or others. We all want to believe
that our children are our little angels but the truth be told is that violent behavior
can be corrected in most circumstances. In the rare individuals where it is a
chemical issue in the psychological make up of the individual, it is a much
tougher problem. In most though, the earlier it is caught, the easier it is to
change.
Video games, television and media can play a role in violence when other
variables are involved and ignored. they also desensitize children and youth to
levels of violence. Does this mean that all video games, movies etc should be
banned? the simple answer is no. Parents need to make decisions based on their
own child. A 15 year old boy with no issues of violence and tendencies to be
violence is not going to play a game of Grand Theft Auto and then run downtown
to find a prostitute to beat on or a police officer to shoot. A child who has
other underlying mental issues combined with many other contributors may. This
is where further education on violence prevention needs to be given to parents.
With the video games and other technology changing so rapidly, most parents do
not comprehend the full level of the graphic violence in the games being played.
Parents need to be further educated and they need to work with teachers and
others to educate their children. When this is done, the levels of violence will
reduce
Written By; James W Miller -
james@youthandviolence.com
|
