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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this paper by Scott was to explore a number of issues surrounding violence in the United States, by examining violent offenders and violent situations in society.
METHODOLOGY:
This paper represented a non-experimental exploratory examination of the types of violence in American society. The author examined violence directed toward children, violence between children, adolescent and young adult violence, violence among the mentally ill, violence as revenge, family violence, violence in public areas and violent male offenders. The author concluded with an investigation of some of the treatment methods that have been employed in the search for an effective tool of prevention.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The author began by noting the consistent findings that violent crime is primarily a phenomenon found in large cities, and that it is usually committed by young males. Children are often the victims of violence within the family, with more than 16,000 dying each year from abuse and neglect. Children are battered because they are unwanted, or when a divorced parent remarries someone who is not interested in the child, or as a result of parents abusing alcohol or drugs. Children who come from homes where they experienced poor socialization could become bullies in the school context, by manipulating and controlling social situations. Passage into adolescence often involves an increase in levels of assertiveness and aggression, with an interest in power and territory. Groups form and the threat of violence becomes an ever-present possibility, both in social situations outside the school, as well as within the school context. This type of violence often begins in the home during the younger years, and continues as a pattern into the early stages of adulthood. At this part of life, the exciting and unpredictable tavern becomes the central theme, where life is played out as if upon a stage. Violence is also reported to be on the rise amongst the institutionalized mentally ill. This is perhaps due to the fact that many mentally ill harbor an old hatred that has yet to be resolved, such as abuse as a child, that can lead to violence that is triggered by some unrelated and insignificant event. People may also feel the desire for revenge for an event in their past, but through group support they can begin to get a better view of their problems. About 70% of murders typically are committed by someone known to the victim, and most of these occur within the victim's home. This type of violence is often caused by psychological motivations, when one's ego has been damaged. Some estimates suggest that as many as 50% of American families have experienced some form of household violence. Laws have been so cumbersome and have avoided entering the domain of the sacred home that many cases of household violence have not been effectively handled. Violence is also common in public areas - on the streets and in the subways - with the primary target being the elderly, and the usual assailant being a younger male. The violent male felon acts according to different rules - he will kill when engaged in a fight. The author saw the intent to kill as a learned behavior, which must be unlearned via a process of resocialization to learn new values and to find a place within a new environment. When examining issues of treatment, the author noted that most offenders are against enforced theory on theoretical grounds, but would accept the notion of enforced therapy if it was conducted by a qualified professional for a violent criminal. Treatment should not, according to the author, be confined to the typical stereotypes of analysis, but should involve the use of clear judgement and wisdom to choose the most appropriate methods of rehabilitation.
EVALUATION:
This paper presents an informative look at the different types of violence that exist within contemporary society. However, the author provides little empirical evidence for his claims, and does not fully explain his assertions. No alternative explanations are offered for the various types of behaviors, and sweeping generalizations are made about the nature of each type of violent situation. Whilst this report does serve to add to the plethora of literature in the area of violence, it does little to advance scientific knowledge about the causes, nature and consequences of violent behavior. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
KW - Child Abuse
KW - Emotional Abuse and Neglect
KW - Domestic Violence
KW - Juvenile Violence
KW - Male Offender
KW - Mental Illness
KW - Juvenile Offender
KW - Violence Situations
KW - Treatment
KW - Violence Prevention
KW - Violence Causes
KW - Urbanization
KW - Adult Offender
KW - Public Environment |