Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting
Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting
Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting
Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting
What You Can Do Make a commitment not to contribute to violence in any way. Do not bully, tease, or spread negative gossip about others. Respect others and value differences. Try to broaden your social circle to include others who are different from you. Get involved in your school and community. Volunteer with a community group, play sports, write a play or poem, play a musical instrument, or join a club or after-school program. Avoid alcohol and drugs. Learn about ways to resolve arguments and fights without violence, and encourage your friends to do the same. If someone is threatening you and you feel that you are in serious danger, do not take matters into your own hands. Find an adult you can trust and discuss your fears, or contact school administrators or the police. Take precautions for your safety, such as avoiding being alone and staying with a group of friends if possible. If you know someone is planning to harm someone else - report him or her. Most of us have learned from an early age that it is wrong to "tattle," but in some instances it is the most courageous thing you can do. Take the initiative to make your school or community safer. Join an existing group that is promoting non-violence in your school or community, or launch your own effort. The Justice Department’s youth web site can connect you with national organizations and provide you with information and resources to take action in your community.
I AM THE MOTHER OF A 14 YEAR OLD BOY WHO WAS ATTACKED BY A KNOWN TROUBLEMAKER AT SCHOOL. WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED THE END OF THE ROAD AND ITS BEEN UNIMAGINABLE HEARTACHE TO WATCH MY SON BECOME A DIFFERENT PERSON BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS DONE TO HIM. THE SCHOOL FAILED TO PROTECT HIM AND WORSE THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM, NOR DID THE COMMUNITY. WHAT A SHAME. I AM FORTUNATE THAT MY SON IS ALIVE AND WELL, AS SO MANY OTHERS HAVE LOST CHILDREN TO SCHOOL VIOLENCE. WHERE DOES IT END?? IT'S UP TO ALL OF US!! I PRAY WE CAN ONE DAY SEND OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND NOT FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY! IT WILL TAKE US ALL.What is aggression? Aggressive behavior can take many forms, including: Pushing, hitting, slapping, biting, kicking, hair-pulling, stabbing, shooting, and rape. Threatening or intimidating others, malicious teasing, taunting, and name-calling. Gossiping, spreading rumors, and encouraging others to reject or exclude someone. What can teens do to prevent aggression and violence? Respect others and value differences; do not bully, tease, spread gossip about others, or threaten others in any way. Talk with an adult such as a parent or other family member, counselor, teacher, or coach if you are sad, depressed, fearful, anxious, or angry. Ask for advice if you are having trouble paying attention at school or are getting into arguments. Avoid alcohol and drugs.
What Parents Can Do to Help Prevent Youth Violence Give your children consistent love and attention. Every child needs a strong, loving, relationship with a parent or other adult to feel safe and secure and to develop a sense of trust. Communicate openly with your children, Listen respectfully and solicit their opinions. Then, if a problem or crisis arises, they will be more likely to come to you. Set clear standards for your children's behavior, and be consistent about rules and discipline. Involve your children in the setting of rules whenever possible, and discuss the reasons for rules with them. Make sure they understand what you expect and the consequences for disobedience, and then enforce rules consistently. Make sure your children are supervised. Insist on knowing where your children are at all times and who their friends are. Try to get to know their friends' parents and your children's teachers. Encourage your children to participate in supervised after-school activities. Promote peaceful resolutions to conflict by being a good role model. Deal with conflict at home calmly, considerately and quickly and manage your anger without violence. Talk with your children about handling disagreements, and help your children learn how to examine and find non-aggressive solutions to problems. Talk to your children about the consequences of drug and weapon use, gang participation, and violence. Explain in detail how getting involved with these can result in injury, jail, even death. Work toward making your home a safe, nonviolent place, and always discourage violent behavior or hostile, aggressive arguments between family members. If your children are exposed to violence in the street, at school, or at home, they may need help in dealing with these frightening experiences. A psychologist, a counselor at school, or a member of the clergy, are among those who can help them cope with their feelings. Take the initiative to make your school and community safer. Join up with other parents, through school and neighborhood associations, religious organizations, civic groups, and youth activity groups. Support the development and implementation of school and community plans to address the needs of youth.
Drugs all over under the ground. Guns, people crying, putting each other down. People every day do crazy things. Buying fancy cars and a lot of rings. You have nothing to show for yourself. You're dying on the inside, and you have bad health. I wonder what the community can do. I have no idea, not even a clue. I look in the paper and I see someone dead. They lay on the stretcher like it was a bed. The mothers stand in silence. People should think TO STOP THE VIOLENCE!!! -Anonymous