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Teenagers and Crime: Trends in Adolescent Aggression

By KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant

Every day, our nation's newspapers report acts of violence committed by juveniles. Although teenage violence has been a controversial issue for as long as anyone can remember, a rash of aggressive, deadly crimes - from arson to school shootings - is causing new worry among experts. Not long ago, the U.S. News and World Report informed its readers that juvenile violence is the nation's fastest growing crime. (Follow the Web link to read a special account of what's going on in the U.S. - and how it relates to you!)

Not long ago, The News-Journal printed one reporter's findings about teenage crime. The young offenders who were interviewed gave the impression they didn't care much about obeying rules, and they lived very dangerously. According to the newspaper reporter, the youths were frustrated and felt alienated from their peers and families.

It's not unusual for teenagers to feel that nobody understands them. That's been a trend for quite a while. Some experts believe, though, that today's adolescents live in a much more confusing, frustrating world than ever before. (It's also increasingly easy for youths to obtain weapons. Take a look at one section of a USA Today report, teenage time bomb, for interesting reading and charts with statistics about violence, teenagers and guns.)

What is the best way you can think of to deter teenage criminals? Will tougher laws stop crime? Is stricter sentencing an answer? Some states may prosecute certain youthful offenders under adult laws. Florida currently leads the nation in doling out adult punishments to youths. Can zero tolerance policies help stop crimes such as school violence? Take a look at this newspaper editorial to understand one viewpoint on zero tolerance.

Should laws hold parents more accountable? Should city officials set age-related curfews? Should schools require students to wear uniforms, and offer more after school activities that'll keep kids busy in positive ways? People have tried all these methods over recent years, in efforts to cut down on juvenile crime. Many have been successful, but teenage crime is a huge, complex issue that cannot be solved easily. Experts are still searching for the right combination--the magic formula--for stopping teenage crime.

Now, if you haven't already done so, take a moment to examine The News-Journal newspaper editorial cartoon that appears on this page. What do you think the cartoonist is trying to say? If you answered that he feels education is a key part of this issue, you're absolutely right! Education plays an important role in violence prevention. Often, people resort to violence because they don't know there are better ways to solve conflicts. When they have a chance to more peaceful resolutions, everybody wins. Read a revealing newspaper report of one teen's life as a gang member and the role education played in her life.

After you try the newspaper activities and Web links below, use your knowledge to make a prediction about trends in teenage violence over the next five years. Write down your prediction and keep it in a safe place. Open it in a few years to see how you did!

Try these interesting activities using The News-Journal

1. Violence is something that affects all members of our community, either directly or indirectly. For example, if greater police protection is needed, we may be required to pay higher taxes. Search your newspaper for a period of four or five days. Note the kinds of criminal activities that are reported in the paper. Create a chart or graph to show your findings on crime in the community. Display or share with others. (Sunshine State Standards: MA.B.2.2.1, MA.D.1.2.1, MA.E.1.2.1, MA.E.1.2.3, MA.E.3.2.1, SS.A.1.2.1, SS.B.1.2.1)

2. Does the media have an influence on kids who commit crimes? Use your newspaper to find the prime-time television listings, and count the number of violent shows scheduled for broadcast that evening. Write a few paragraphs discussing your feelings about a possible relationship between television programming and youths who commit acts of violence. (Sunshine State Standards: HE.B.2.2.1, HE.B.2.2.4, SS.A.1.2.1)

3. People who break laws are called criminals. Why do you think we have laws? Find the Sports section in your newspaper and read an article about a recent sports event. Imagine the game as it might have been played-if there were no rules! Would the plays, and the outcome, have been the same? Now, imagine a day without rules at your school. On a sheet of paper, write the five most important laws or rules you can think of. Rank your list starting with the one you believe is most important. Compare your list with family and friends. (Sunshine State Standards: HE.B.1.2.5, PE.A.1.2.5, PE.B.2.2.1, PE.B.2.2.2, SS.A.2.2.4, SS.C.1.2.4, SS.C.1.2.5, SS.C.2.2.2, SS.C.2.2.3, SS.C.2.2.4)

4. It's common for people to experience anger, depression, frustration or other feelings of helplessness. Many know that talking to others about their problems often helps them feel better. Agencies and specialized group meetings are valuable resources for them. Your community has many resources like these, to help people talk about their problems and resolve their conflicts peacefully. Check your newspaper carefully for articles and announcements about such community events. Consider attending a meeting or event that interests you. (Sunshine State Standards: HE.A.1.2.3, HE.A.2.2.2, HE.A.2.2.5, HE.B.1.2.3)

5. Examine your newspaper for stories about acts of violence. Each time you locate one, search for a similar newspaper story in which a conflict was solved without violence. Formulate an opinion about which kind of conflict resolution you prefer-a violent confrontation, or a peaceful, fair resolution? (Sunshine State Standards: HE.B.3.2.3, HE.B.3.2.4, HE.B.1.2.5, HE.B.3.2.7)

A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org.

Check out these links to learn more

Some online sites offer opportunities for you to leave feedback about the topic you're researching. Always check with an adult you trust for guidance before entering a forum or discussion, and especially before leaving your name or any other personal information at any site.

Take a look at this compilation of articles reporting student violence in America, offered by the New York Times on the Web. Read some articles and be sure to visit the violence in schools pages. You'll also find lesson plans for learning more about school violence, accountability and even the role of the Internet in these issues. Share these with your teacher.

You'll find answers to commonly asked questions about youth, violence and the law at a site called youthviolence.org. Take a look at an expert's thoughts on zero tolerance, bullying, violence in the media and more.

Kids around the world are participating in an online project about violence in the media. Follow the link to find out what your peers think about violence in television, movies, video games and other media. What can you do to make the world a safer place? Visit the National Crime Prevention Council's site to find out how students can take action to stop the violence! Take a look, too, at the online resource center set up by an organization for National Youth Violence Prevention - there's even a separate section for teens.

The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. Visit the site and check some of them out to see if they have recently published any articles about this issue. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published August 6, 2001

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