ERIC Number: EJ727012
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 17
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-4316
EISSN: N/A
Guns, Gangs, and Gossip: An Analysis of Student Essays on Youth Violence
Zimmerman, Marc A.; Morrel-Samuels, Susan; Wong, Naima; Tarver, Darian; Rabiah, Deana; White, Sharrice
Journal of Early Adolescence, v24 n4 p385-411 2004
Youth violence is an important public health problem, but few researchers have studied violence from youth's perspectives. Middle school students' essays about the causes of youth violence were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The causes of violence identified by students were categorized into individual, peer, family, and societal factors. Seven to 11 subcategories were identified within each factor. Variations in the frequency of quotes among factors, the independent effects of factor and sex, and their interaction were examined. Peer factors were identified most often and family factors least often as causes of violence. Females were more likely than males to report peer factors as a cause. The most frequently mentioned subcategories within each factor were lack of anger management, need for acceptance, harassment/lack of respect, violence in the media, and parenting practices. The discussion examines youth's theories about the causation of violence and their implications for interventions.
Descriptors: Essays, Weapons, Parenting Styles, Adolescents, Violence, Juvenile Gangs, Peer Influence, Gender Differences, Middle School Students, Family Influence, Individual Characteristics, Social Influences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A