Violence in Schools Incidents of violence at school can be divided into nine categories: deadly weapons, threats of violence, fighting, child abuse, sexual abuse, bullying and hazing, vandalism, theft, and disruptive behavior. It is clear however, that these types of violence are not mutually exclusive and are often combined. Fighting can involve deadly weapons, bullying can include threats of violence, and sexual abuse can be part of hazing (Thomas).

Additionally, American youth are increasingly being exposed to violence through television, video games, movies, and music. This has raised concerns that children exposed to violence may become desensitized and attempt to resolve conflict in a violent manner. Crime and violence affects not only families but society as well ("Crime, Violence and Your Child").

According to the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV) school violence can hinder the learning process and lead to violent revenge and a range of mental health issues including depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Domestic violence can lead to bullying behaviors, acting out and shame. Media violence can lead children to fear going out because it makes them feel unsafe as well as the possibly desensitizing them to violent and criminal acts ("Children & Violence").

Discussion

Domestic Violence

According to Moylan et al. (2010) every year an estimated 3.3 million to 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence in their home and almost 900,000 children are classified as maltreated by parents and other caretakers. Furthermore, different forms of family violence often co-occur, suggesting that many children who witness domestic violence have also directly experienced child abuse. Children exposed to domestic violence and/or child...

Additionally, children exposed to both child abuse and domestic violence fare worse with respect to later outcomes than do those exposed only to one form of violence. Another form of domestic violence is incest. Figures on the frequency of cases of incest vary. The most common offenders are uncles, cousins, fathers, brothers, brothers-in-law, and step grandfathers. Victims report feeling guilt, shame, despair, and confusion. The effects may manifest themselves for years to come in a variety of ways.
Exposure to violence negatively affects a child's development. Typically children exposed to violence have trouble with school, emotions, and cognition as well as an increase in depression and anxiety. It may even result in future substance abuse. Children who witness violence or crime also have an increased risk for aggression, conflicts with those around them and difficulty trusting the people in their lives.

Media Violence

The media legitimizes violence in the minds of many adolescents. Media violence may also desensitize people. Blood, gore, murder, and mutilation become entertainment. Many television shows and movies imply that violence is a way to gain status. The ones who are admired the ones who have the most prestige, are those who wreak the most violence. For many boys who feel inadequate this is a powerful message. Moreover, hurting people in video games or vicariously through movies can serve as a rehearsal to the real thing. Having hurt others thousands of times in video games or in the imagination may make it easier to perform violent acts in reality (Langman).

Bullying

Statistics on bullying in the United States reveal that about one in four kids are bullied on…