Dear Editor,
It is undeniable that our youth holds aggressive attitudes and exert violent behaviour to others. On any given day in Guyana, there are multiple news stories about youth violence. Whether it’s street fighting, school violence or bullying, our country’s youth is plagued with violent behaviour. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines youth violence as violence which occurs among individuals (aged 10-29 years), who are not related or may not know each other. It includes a series of acts from bullying and physical fighting, to more severe sexual and physical assault, to homicide.
Presently, youth violence is increasing and quickly becoming one of the major concerns in Guyana and the world. A few questions should be asked: What is making the youth today so violent and ill-tempered and, is there anything that can stop this trend?
There are a few factors which contribute to hostile behaviour. A home is supposed to be a safe place where children are free to experience their right to love, care and protection. If they are usually faced with violent behaviour between their parents, it is highly likely that they would assume all relationships are filled with violence. Thus, they will adapt an irrational personality and indulge in unacceptable activities.
Violence in the media – print and electronic – can also contribute to destructive and violent attitudes amongst the youth. Many experts in education and psychology believe that children act based on what they visualise, which can easily be reenacted due to constant exposure. Television and video games have greatly influenced many children. When parents and teachers take the time to teach children respectful values and norms, they will learn problem solving, coping skills and conflict resolution.
Toxic environments for children is another recognised cause of violence amongst youth. Homes, schools or neighbourhoods can become hostile environments for children when their relationships and experiences fail to nurture, protect and help them achieve their potential. Such environments leave many children disaffected, frightful and vengeful. As a result, they are scared and provoked into carrying knives or guns, joining gangs and committing criminal acts. It is no coincidence that the vast majority of crime takes place in neighbourhoods suffering from huge social disadvantages. Many neighbourhoods with high crime rates are already inclined to distrust law enforcement personnel, owing to their experiences of institutional racism in our country. As violence and crime have increased, the proportion of offences for which police have identified the offender has fallen, which further erodes civilians’ trust in authority. When police fail to solve or stop crime, people will bypass law enforcement and authority and tend to use violence to resolve disputes.
There is no guarantee that violence can be stopped permanently, but prevention can make a difference. Parents can start by being worthy role-models, refraining from violent behaviour and making sure that they are positively involved in their children’s lives. They should maintain frequent discussions and discipline their kids during ‘slip-ups’ as well as lend them a supportive shoulder in times of distress. Parents should make it clear that aggressive behaviour is unacceptable and therefore, they should be actively involved in the school systems to ensure that the children are safe and the environment is violence-free.
Additionally, school authorities should also carry out their primary role of preventing violence amongst students. A school should be a protected place where students can achieve knowledge. Thus, teachers and other staff members should develop an appropriate attitude to students and maintain a comfortable atmosphere. Schools should also invest in violence prevention programmes and daily assemblies where students with problems are taught the morals, values and laws of society. They should also ensure a guidance counsellor is appointed as students may have an urge to speak with someone about their struggles and experiences. As a result, a child battling criminal attitudes and thoughts can be counselled, while a victim of a criminal act could be provided with help and advice.
Preventing violence does not involve the efforts of parents and schools alone, but it is also the duty of society as a whole, by changing social and cultural conditions in efforts to reduce violence, reshape social norms and restructure educational systems. The problem cannot be solved completely; however, when individuals lend a helping hand to reduce violence, the world will move towards becoming a more peaceful and safe place.
Yours faithfully,
Hadiyyah Mohamed
Student
6th Form – School of the Nations
