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Teenage Pregnancy

Meghan Tureski

Violence in Schools
Introduction:
Violence among youth, especially in schools, is one of America’s most pressing concerns. Youth are more frequently using guns and weapons to settle disputes rather than words. The common perception is that youth violence occurs only in urban public schools. The reality is that violence can occur in any school, from stable suburban schools to private schools as well. School violence includes gang activity, locker thefts, bullying and intimidation, gun use, assault—just about anything that produces a victim. Violence is perpetrated against students, teachers, and staff, and ranges from intentional vendettas to accidental killings of innocent bystanders. Fifty seven percent of elementary and secondary school principals reported having some type of crime or violence that had been reported to the police. Although measures are being taken in order to ensure safety for students, violence is still a major problem in schools across the nation. The most challenging thing facing teachers today is violence in schools.
Evidence:
School violence is not easy to understand. There is no predominant reason why students become violent. Some are just following behavior they have seen at home, on the streets, or in video games, movies, or television. Sometimes, people who turn violent are victims of teasing who have hit a limit and will do anything to make it stop. They may feel isolated and rejected by their peers. These are only a couple of the reasons why a person may become
violent. One of the first rude awakenings that violence is real in schools was in 1999 in Littleton, Colorado at Columbine High School. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, set out on a shooting rampage killing twelve students and one teacher, thus affecting the surrounding community as well as opening the eyes of America. It is speculated that violent video games and movies along with angry song lyrics influenced Harris and Klebold and ignited...