| Violence is one of the major causes of | | | | of physical punishment. |
| mortality and morbidity among youth. With | | | | |
| slightly more than 1 in 3 high school | | | | In another study, it was found that among |
| students reported to be involved in a | | | | boys who had all the specific risk factors |
| physical fight, this is a major social issue. | | | | and none of the three protective factors, 71% |
| For high school students almost 1 in 10 have | | | | were predicted to be involved in violent |
| been involved in dating violence and almost 1 | | | | behavior at the time of the second interview. |
| in 3 had their property stolen or | | | | For boys who had none of the risk factors and |
| deliberately damaged at school. Thankfully, | | | | all three protective factors, only 18% were |
| parents are not powerless as recent published | | | | predicted to be involved in violent behavior. |
| studies show. I describe some simple steps | | | | Likewise, for girls who had all the risk |
| parents can take. | | | | factors and none of the three protective |
| | | | factors, 61% were predicted to be involved in |
| Can we as parents influence our kids with | | | | violent behavior at the time of the second |
| respect to use of violence? The good news is | | | | interview. Among girls who had none of the |
| that if our kids see us as disapproving of | | | | risk factors and all three protective |
| the use of violence to solve interpersonal | | | | factors, only 7% were predicted to be |
| problems then they were more likely not to | | | | involved in violent behavior. |
| engage in violent behavior. Interestingly, | | | | |
| almost 40% of the parents indicated that they | | | | In summary to reduce youth violence, we need |
| would tell their child it is okay to hit if | | | | to strengthen families, enhance positive |
| another person pushes him or her. Perhaps for | | | | relationships with adults, encourage a sense |
| some parents, advising their child to fight | | | | of connection with school and improve |
| back when provoked is the best way they think | | | | academic performance. We also need to reduce |
| their child will be safe. | | | | weapon carrying, substance abuse, school |
| | | | problems and emotional distress. Finally, and |
| Using corporal punishment as a disciplining | | | | most importantly, we know that witnessing or |
| method by parents increased the risk of youth | | | | experiencing violence and being exposed to |
| violence as reported in several studies. | | | | suicide attempts (and completions) of friends |
| Seeing parents using corporal punishment may | | | | and family members endanger the lives and |
| suggest to young people that the use of | | | | well-being of our youth. |
| physical force in dealing with a problem is | | | | |
| normal. Parents should clearly communicate to | | | | As parents we have the power to reduce youth |
| their children how to resolve conflicts | | | | violence and improve our children's lives. |
| without resorting to violence and to model | | | | Lets seize that opportunity and stop the |
| these skills themselves by avoiding the use | | | | violence among our youth. |