Problem of Violence in Schools

Some ways we could stop school violence. The first thing we could do is to take guns away from households that have kids at an impressionable age. Something else we could do is show young kids the effects of bullying, not just emphasize that “you will hurt other people’s feelings and make them sad.” While we obviously need to teach young kids how to be kind, this message needs to be modified in a way that they can understand.

We can also ensure that kids are in the right mindset before they get out of control and lash out at someone or something.

We can also monitor whether everything is okay at home; sometimes, a troubled kid is impacted by issues at home. By creating a safe and supportive school climate, we can encourage students to take responsibility for their part in maintaining safe school environments, including student participation in safety planning.

The presence of school resource officers, security guards, or local police partnerships can also be beneficial. Keep the lines of communication open with your kids as a parent— this is very important when you’re trying to stay involved in their schoolwork, friends, and activities. However, ensure you don’t come across as overbearing to avoid pushing your kids away.

Good communication strategies include asking open-ended questions and using phrases like “tell me more” or “what do you think?” as these show your kids that you are listening and that you want to hear more about their opinions and ideas, as well as how they view the world. Start open discussions with your kids about difficult topics such as violence, smoking, drugs, sex, drinking, or death, regardless of whether the topics are challenging or embarrassing. Don’t wait for your kids to approach you because they might not for fear of embarrassment or worry that you will tell everyone at school.

Knowing the warning signs of distress in children is important. Recognizing what’s normal behavior for your child can help you notice even small changes in behavior and potentially forewarn you that something is troubling your child, from subtle to dramatic alterations.

However, violence in school has been prevalent for many years, and there has been ongoing debate over whether or not the government is doing enough to protect children from such scenarios. In contrast, other countries like Japan and Korea have never reported an issue with school violence in their history. Therefore, it’s evident that the government could be doing more to help mitigate such issues.
The first recorded school shooting was in the 1700s. The earliest known United States shooting on school property was the Pontiac’s Rebellion school massacre on July 26, 1764. Four Lenape American Indians entered a schoolhouse near present-day Greencastle, Pennsylvania, shot, and killed the schoolmaster Enoch Brown, and killed nine to ten children. Only two children survived. The government has been dealing with this for a good 317 years, so if that is not enough time to figure out what to do, then I don’t have enough time for anything. I don’t understand why it takes them so long to figure out how to stop school shootings.

Another example is Amanda Todd. Amanda Todd was just 15 when she committed suicide on a live stream due to cyberbullying. This is an example of violence because she was not only bullied but also physically abused by an older boy and his girlfriend. She changed schools three times because a picture of her circulated her first school due to a guy she was “talking to” on Facebook. He threatened her friends and family and coerced her into sending him nude photos. Therefore, this is another form of school violence.

The most recent case of school violence is the Trickum stabbing. The student had a “surprise” for his teacher before stabbing her in the chest with an eight-inch butcher knife. The problem with this case is that the child had a history of violence. There were numerous reports that he had threatened to kill other students and teachers. This boy should have been put on a watch list. If the government doesn’t take any action, this will continue.

We will never change this situation if we don’t take any actions to stop school violence. Here are some problems. These can include fighting with friends, declining grades, leaving sports or clubs the child had previously enjoyed, sleep disruptions, eating problems, uneasiness and lying, and physical complaints like stomach aches or headaches. Another warning sign is if your child starts to abuse animals, or shows extreme anger towards siblings. Losing interest in things is not always a sign that your child is having problems. Remember, all kids go through phases.

One thing you can do to prevent school violence is not to be afraid to intervene. Parents need to step in when a child’s behavior could harm others or themselves. You also shouldn’t keep your child on a tight leash. Don’t make them feel like they don’t have options. Studies show that children who don’t have any freedom often feel the urge to lash out once they finally get it. They might engage in risky behaviors such as drugs, unsafe sex, robbery, and fighting.

Another suggestion is to welcome new students and help them feel at home in your school. Introduce them to other students. Aim to familiarize yourself with at least one new student each week. Start a “peace pledge” campaign, in which students promise to settle disagreements peacefully, to reject weapons, and to work towards creating a safe campus for all.
Strive for 100 percent participation. Kids mistake power for respect. In trying to command the respect of their peers, they often resort to methods of abuse and violence. They imitate what they perceive as “cool” behavior, often associated with action heroes and on-screen characters. Their young minds do not always distinguish between reality and fiction. In their attempt to emulate on-screen heroes, children can resort to violent acts.

Children who have been victims of teasing sometimes turn to violence. They feel it offers them power and masks their day-to-day struggles. Don’t automatically assume that because they’re different or “unusual,” they’re destined to become disturbed individuals when they mature. Everyone is unique; one kid will not replicate the behavior of another.

If you make a child, or anyone for that matter, feel inadequate compared to others, they will begin to harbor feelings of sadness or anger from not being good enough. When they realize they’re not measuring up to your standards, jealousy ensues. Jealousy, much like a seed, grows the more it is nurtured. This is why teachers should not play favorites in class. Doing so only incites feelings of resentment and anger in students who aren’t receiving the same attention.

Jealousy can often evolve into deep-seated hatred for the person they envy. Therefore, be mindful when comparing children to their peers. People often do not understand what constitutes school violence, thus it cannot be properly addressed without knowing its definition.

School violence encompasses physical violence, including student-on-student fighting and corporal punishment; psychological violence, like verbal abuse; sexual violence, including rape and sexual harassment; many forms of bullying, cyberbullying included; and the presence of weapons in school.

Here are some warning signs to note: social withdrawal, excessive feelings of isolation and loneliness, feelings of rejection, being a victim of violence, feelings of persecution, low school interest and poor academic performance, expressions of violence in writings and drawings, uncontrolled anger, repetitive patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidation, and bullying behaviors, history of discipline problems, violent and aggressive behavior, intolerance for differences and prejudiced attitudes, substance abuse, affiliation with gangs, inappropriate access to firearms, and serious threats of violence.

Unlike early warning signs, imminent warning signs indicate that a student is very close to behaving in a way that is potentially dangerous, to themselves or others. These imminent warning signs require immediate attention.
No single warning sign can predict that a dangerous act will occur. Rather, imminent warning signs usually are presented as a sequence of overt, serious, hostile behaviors or threats directed at peers, staff, or other individuals. Usually, imminent warning signs are evident to more than one staff member, as well as to the child’s family. When warning signs indicate that danger is imminent, safety must always be the first and foremost consideration. Action must be taken immediately. Imminent warning signs may include: serious physical fighting with peers or family members, severe destruction of property, severe rage for seemingly minor reasons, other self-injurious behaviors or threats of suicide, threats of lethal violence, a detailed plan (time, place, and method) to harm or kill others, particularly if the child has a history of aggression or has attempted to carry out threats in the past, and possession and/or use of firearms and other weapons.

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