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Can We Stop School Violence? Essay Example

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Can We Stop School Violence? Essay Example
Violence in schools is an issue that has become more prominent in the last few years. News articles about violent deeds within the school setting are on the increase. Our society demands that schools are safe for our children. In order to maintain a peaceful environment for all, we must address and inform our schools, children, and parents as well as the neighboring communities about the issue of school violence. If violence in schools is to be controlled, the entire school community must take a positive stand against violence. Since the setting is the school, it should follow that the schools are responsible for maintaining violent free environments.
Children are overwhelmingly victims (90 percent under age 12, 75 percent under age 17), not perpetrators, of violence. “The number of children killed by gun violence in schools is about half the number of Americans killed annually by lightning strikes” (Myers). Opinion surveys show that people are more worried about school violence then about domestic violence and legislators […]. No one wants to ignore legitimate problems of school violence, but distorting the problem has terrible consequences. (Myers)
School violence stops students from learning. They are afraid, as is everybody. School violence is a result of major factors in society today. These factors include physical assaults and emotional violence in the form of severe teasing and harassment. Also family problems, such as parents getting divorced or parents not always being at home; media, such as movies, TV shows or news; and racism are threatening the safety and security of schools.
“Creating environments in which learning can take place and students can feel supported socially and emotionally should be the primary goal associated with school safety. By helping students stay in control of their emotions and actions, we can avoid the tragic and costly consequences of out-of-control behavior.” (Smallwood and Kern)
In other words, with the encouragement

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