Teen Violence

Violence is an act of purposefully hurting someone. It is a major issue many young adults are facing today. The twelve to twenty-four age group faces the highest risk of being the victims of violence. There is no single reason for the rise in youth violence. Many factors cause violent behavior. The more these factors are present in a teen's life, the more likely he or she is to commit an act of violence. Some of the factors that may cause youth violence are exposure to violence and family conflict, the media and either physical or substance abuse. Many of these factors can eventually lead to suicide. The teen may begin to feel overwhelmed from the stress of everyday life, so the best solution is to end his or her life. "The number of suicides and homicides committed by teenagers [...] has exploded in the last three decades [...]"(Quindlen 42). Youth violence not only affects the individual; it also has an effect on the individual's family and society.

Research has shown that violent or aggressive behavior is learned early on in life. Parents, and family members that care for children can help them learn to deal with their emotions, without turning to violence as their solution. Parents determine the life a child will lead. Parents are the most important factor in a child's life. Every child needs a strong and loving environment to make them feel safe and secure in order for them to develop trust. In an article titled "Is Youth Violence Just another Fact of Life", the author states,

"There is no gene for violence. Violence is a learned behavior, and it is often learned in the home or the community from parents, family members, or friends. Children are more aggressive and grow up more likely to become...