Violence in Todays Society
Lisa M. Allen
Enc 1101
September 14, 2008
Today’s Violence and Its Many Causes
Violence in today’s society is at an all time high. There are many causes for the increase in violence in our society. Violence is defined by (1) criminal law, the illegal use of unjustified force, or the intimidating effect created by the threat of this (2) the use of physical force to injure somebody or damage something (Encarta Dictionary: English – North American Version). Rape, homicide, assault and burglary with a weapon are all forms of malicious legal violence that plague our communities in irrevocable ways. In fact violence in the form of homicide is the second leading cause in youth ages fifteen to twenty-four, third leading cause in ages twenty-five to thirty-four, and the fourth leading cause of ages one to nine (American College of Emergency Physicians, First Aid, CPR, and AED, 5th Edition Text Book, Page Three). Violence being the leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults is more prevalent than disease, cancer or congenital disorders. In Florida alone, violent habitual offenders admitted to state prisons increased 64% from January 2008 to May 2008 and 32.8% of offenders released are readmitted within three years (Trends in Prison Admissions Report. July 2008. Florida Department of Corrections. Page 72.) Although there are many contributing factors for this increase I will focus on the break up of the family home, decline in values by our media and the increase in codependence.
With the breakup of the family home, more youth are growing up in an environment that does not include nor teach compassion, honesty, and a sense of consequence for ones actions. As these youth grow up, they will be more likely to commit acts of violence. Only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents, the lowest figure in the Western world (“The State of Our Unions 2005”. The National Marriage Project at Rutgers University “Fall 2006”.
Enc 1101
September 14, 2008
Today’s Violence and Its Many Causes
Violence in today’s society is at an all time high. There are many causes for the increase in violence in our society. Violence is defined by (1) criminal law, the illegal use of unjustified force, or the intimidating effect created by the threat of this (2) the use of physical force to injure somebody or damage something (Encarta Dictionary: English – North American Version). Rape, homicide, assault and burglary with a weapon are all forms of malicious legal violence that plague our communities in irrevocable ways. In fact violence in the form of homicide is the second leading cause in youth ages fifteen to twenty-four, third leading cause in ages twenty-five to thirty-four, and the fourth leading cause of ages one to nine (American College of Emergency Physicians, First Aid, CPR, and AED, 5th Edition Text Book, Page Three). Violence being the leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults is more prevalent than disease, cancer or congenital disorders. In Florida alone, violent habitual offenders admitted to state prisons increased 64% from January 2008 to May 2008 and 32.8% of offenders released are readmitted within three years (Trends in Prison Admissions Report. July 2008. Florida Department of Corrections. Page 72.) Although there are many contributing factors for this increase I will focus on the break up of the family home, decline in values by our media and the increase in codependence.
With the breakup of the family home, more youth are growing up in an environment that does not include nor teach compassion, honesty, and a sense of consequence for ones actions. As these youth grow up, they will be more likely to commit acts of violence. Only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents, the lowest figure in the Western world (“The State of Our Unions 2005”. The National Marriage Project at Rutgers University “Fall 2006”.
Cited: American College of Emergency Physicians, First Aid, CPR, and AED, 5th Edition Text Book, Page Three BJJ. Annual Report. 2006. 131 BJJ. Annual Report. 2006. 127 Encarta Dictionary: English – North American Version Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. Media and the Changing World Report. May 2005. 12 Laureen Pagel, Ph.D. , PhD, MS, CAP, CAPP, Director of Operations - Sutton Place Behavioral Health. Powerpoint Presentation. Florida Statewide Prevention Conference 2007 “The State of Our Unions 2005”. The National Marriage Project at Rutgers University. Fall 2006. 74-78 Trends in Prison Admissions Report. July 2008. Florida Department of Corrections. 72