A new report by the National Association of Attorneys General has concluded that the No. 1 cause of youth violence is violence in the home. This is not a shocking finding, considering that children model their behavior — good and bad — after their parents. The most powerful tool in curbing youth violence may be common-sense parenting: setting positive examples, establishing meaningful limits and keeping the lines of communication open so that children have a sense of belonging. But some homes are sorely lacking in such common sense.
Sadly, not all children are born into homes that put their needs first. Many children witness domestic violence. Absent some intervention, some 65 percent will grow up to repeat the behavior. For those children, and for the welfare of society in general, communities must provide a safety net.
There is an ongoing need for temporary shelters for victims of domestic violence. People who have been battered need a safe place to escape to while they make other living arrangements and begin treatment to resolve the issues that escalated into violence in the first place. It is equally important that the batterers themselves undergo treatment, experts say, because such violence will increase in severity and frequency over time. Perpetrators who complete a therapy program are 70 percent less likely to reoffend.
The report makes clear that policymakers need to devote more resources into youth treatment and prevention efforts. Some of these skills could be taught in school. Children need to understand that they are not to blame for the violence that occurs in their own homes. But if it occurs, they need to know how to keep themselves safe.
More than anything, children need positive adult role models. Children need adults in their lives who can model appropriate conflict resolution, observe appropriate boundaries and offer guidance. This does not require a government program. Such an adult could be a schoolteacher, a coach, a Scoutmaster, a 4-H club leader or a Sunday school teacher. The point is, children need to be provided healthy options.
A growing body of research suggests that children who lack the security, affection and sense of belonging provided in a healthy family dynamic or in a relationship with an adult mentor will seek it elsewhere, whether they join gangs, become promiscuous or delve into substance abuse. Some will act out their rage through violent acts of their own.
Youth violence is a complex issue and the attorneys general report provides but one perspective. But it suggest that some of the problems associated with it are within society's grasp. Failing to act on this information would be a dereliction.