How can you prevent your teen from engaging in violence?
According to the CDC, thousands of young people experience violence each day. If you have a teenager charged with assault crimes, you may feel overwhelmed, desperate to figure out why it happened and how to stop it from happening in the future.
Fortunately, no matter your child’s history, you can help prevent violence from becoming an ongoing problem.
Why do some young people experience youth violence more than others?
For non-black or Hispanic youth between the ages of 10 and 24, the third-leading cause of death is homicide. For black and Hispanic youth, it is the leading cause of death. While different demographics and communities experience violence, minorities face a higher risk of violence. Black youth may face a higher risk of physical violence than white youth. Social and health inequalities put minority groups at a higher risk of violence.
Some other risk factors for youth violence include:
- Emotional distress
- Drugs and alcohol
- Learning disorders
- Attention deficits and hyperactivity disorders
- Exposure to family violence
Your child’s involvement with delinquent social groups may also contribute.
What can you do to prevent violence when it comes to your teen?
If your teen faces assault charges, you need to change his or her social environment. If there are violent risks within your community, find other places for your child. Consider enrolling your teen in after-school programs or mentoring programs. Many mentoring programs connect your teen to caring adults and other teenagers on the same path.
Some teens may need additional help from medical professionals or treatment centers. In treatment, your teen will not have exposure to violence. Additionally, treatment may help prevent future problems.
When reducing youth violence, addressing the root cause is the better option.