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Violence Its relationship to poverty and its consequences for children Patterns of violence in U.S. and world—Overview • UNICEF exhibit on small arms • http://www.unicef.org/smallarms/exhibit/ Does poverty lead to violence? • Controversial issue • In a boat with no paddle – Anomie (Robert Merton) • The experience of adopting mainstream cultural values without the approved method (or “institutionalized means”) of pursuing these goals • Anomie can be resolved by – “Innovation” U.S. Statistics • U.S. is most violent and heavily armed industrialized nation in world. • American children under 15 are 12 times more likely to die from gunfire than children in 25 other industrialized countries combined. • Homicide is the third leading cause of death among children 5 - 14. • Children are twice as likely as adults to be victims of violent crime U.S. Statistics Continued • Children are more likely to be killed by adults than by other children. • Violence has *declined* • The media focus on adolescent violence disproportionately, why? • Violence is still an all too common part of children’s environments growing up. How does violence affect children? Children who are victims or witnesses of violence are likely to exhibit one or more of the following behaviors: Effects of violence continued • • • • • lowered self-esteem withdrawal poor school performance; difficulty paying attention suicidal tendencies post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Effects on Infants and Young Children • Infancy – – – – Erikson’s Trust vs. Mistrust Stage (0-1) increased irritability and insecurity Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt May regress developmentally • Young Children – must learn at a very early how to deal with loss and to grieve Effects on School Aged Children and Adolescents • Exposure to violence and being a victim of violence are associated with self-reported use of violence and carrying a weapon. • Adolescents The Cycle of Violence • Children who observe violence at home may learn that violence is a way of communicating and of dealing with life's everyday issues. • Parents living with violence often communicate helplessness and hopelessness and are, therefore, unable to help their children feel safe. Causes of violence— different perspectives • Innate Inferiority (individual level) • Cultural Inferiority (micro level) • exposure to television violence (exo-meso-micro) When we ignore societal (exo and macrosystem) factors and focus only on individual factors, we blame the victim • Social factors associated with violence – poor more likely to be victims of crimes – most victimized group? – economic trends – crowded housing conditions – edu. systems overwhelmed and under-funded – criminal justice system increasingly treats children & adults, outcome? – gun laws and gun availability The Cycle of Poverty An alternative point of view Corporate monopolization of major resources Leads to An inequitable economic and political system Which leads to Political powerlessness, economic and cultural exploitation, and environmental destruction Which leads to Poor education and social services, minimal income,hopelessness, and out-migration (e.g. flight of middle class from urban areas) Which facilitates Further corporate monopolization of major resources