Young people are among the most vulnerable populations that require greater attention and help. In particular, they need direction to steer them away from violence. Bushman et al. (2016) underscored the need for the youth to be provided with protection against exposure to violence. In their text, they warn that the youth are predisposed to violent behaviors, with young people being to blame for such problems as mass shootings. These researchers also propose some solutions that the US can implement to reduce the violence risk that its young people face. The research that Bushman (2016) and his team conducted is grounded in sound theory, based on standard data collection approaches and present implications for practice and policy.
Research Data Instruments
For their study, Bushman et al. (2016) relied on a number of instruments to collect data. When they set out to carry out their study, these researchers were driven by the goal of establishing what research has shown regarding youth violence and the gaps that exist. To accomplish this goal, they gathered data using a literature review approach. Basically, they consulted various publications which shed light on the reality and complex dynamics of youth violence. For instance, the researchers explored articles that highlighted the various risk factors for youth violence as well as the measures that can be instituted to minimize this risk. In addition to published literature, Bushman et al. (2016) also scoured news reports for insights into various elements of violence among America’s young population. While the data that they collected and present in their article is not primary, it nevertheless allows readers to understand that youth violence is a serious problem that demands urgent solutions and concerted efforts.
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Theories
What makes the article by Bushman et al. (2016) particularly insightful is the fact that it is grounded in theory. The main theory that they use is that which addresses the origins of youth violence. According to these researchers, their theory suggests that youth violence has its roots in such factors as the availability of guns, portrayal of violence in the media, and mental illness. Furthermore, Bushman et al. (2016) identify family influences like neglect and child abuse as other factors that increase the risk of involvement in violent activities and crimes. Exposure to mental illness, substance abuse, and aggression are other factors to which Bushman et al. (2016) assign blame for youth violence. Essentially, their theory of the causes of youth violence suggests that this problem does not have a single origin. Instead, it is the result of various factors which combine to create an environment where youth violence occurs and thrives.
In addition to shedding light on the causes of youth violence, the theory that Bushman et al. (2016) outline also focuses on the protective factors. These scholars note that imparting social competencies, minimizing exposure to violence in media, limiting the availability of guns to young people, and tackling alcoholism and substance abuse within this population are some of the protective factors. By exploring these factors, Bushman et al. (2016) indicate that in order to successfully combat youth violence, the US needs to implement a wide range of interventions. All these interventions are aimed at eliminating the risk factors which drive youth violence in the first place.
Related Disciplines
The article that Bushman et al. (2016) authored underscores the interconnectedness of such fields as psychology, sociology, political science, and economics, among others. The relationships among these disciplines can be seen in their approach to the causes of youth violence. For instance, psychology appears to suggest that youth violence has its roots in mental illness. According to Bushman (2016) and his colleagues, there are some studies that have shown a link between such mental illnesses as psychopathy, and narcissism. For example, Bushman et al. (2016) note that narcissistic individuals crave attention. When they are denied this attention, they respond through aggression and violence. While evidence links youth violence to mental illness, caution should be exercised when associating the two factors. Stigma against the mentally ill could occur when they are blamed for the violence problem that the US faces today.
As is the case with psychology, sociology also sheds some light on the causes of violence among America’s youth. Bushman et al. (2016) make it clear that some cases of youth violence can be traced to social dysfunction. For instance, as noted earlier, young people who have suffered neglect and child abuse are more likely to exhibit aggressive and violent behavior. Substance abuse and alcoholism within the family has also been shown to trigger youth violence. Basically, social factors such as family dynamics and access to support resources influence the level of risk to which young people are exposed. The media is another social issue that is a risk factor for violence. Bushman et al. (2016) warn that when they view media content that highlight and glamorize violence, the youth could become aggressive. Therefore, the media has a crucial role to play in stemming youth violence.
Political science is another field which presents insights into the issues that give rise to youth violence. In particular, the gun policy that the US government has adopted appears to be fueling youth violence. Bushman et al. (2016) blame the policies for making it possible for young people to access guns with ease. For instance, they note that the young individuals who have committed mass shootings were able to obtain guns easily. Furthermore, Bushman and his fellow researchers note that the policies that the US has adopted to curb street violence have largely been effective, thereby allowing youth violence to become an even graver challenge for the nation.
By linking youth violence to socioeconomic factors, Bushman et al. (2016) highlight how economics is related to the other disciplines discussed above. These researchers observed that aggression and youth violence are endemic problems in poor urban neighborhoods across the US. To explain this observation, they note that poor youth are forced to resort to violence because they have little faith in the justice system. Bushman et al. (2016) identify young people from minority communities as being particularly vulnerable to violence because of the extreme economic conditions that they face. Until America guarantees economic security for all its people, it should expect youth violence to remain a major challenge.
Economic and Social Costs
Among the main messages that Bushman et al. (2016) communicate in their text is that the US incurs huge economic and social costs due to youth violence. The loss of human life is among these costs. Bushman and his team blame youth violence for thousands of deaths that have occurred in the US. For instance, they note that dozens of innocent children have lost their lives in school shootings. In fact, according to these researchers, violence kills more young people than such illnesses as diabetes, stroke, and respiratory diseases. Other costs that the US incurs as a result of youth violence include disruption in learning, a decline in the wellbeing and outcomes among disadvantaged young communities, and the establishment of a general culture of fear. For instance, schools that have suffered mass shootings have witnessed learning disruption while young people from minority communities are grappling with poor outcomes. Neighborhoods that face high levels of violence discourage investment and continue to experience high poverty rates. In essence, youth violence eliminates the conditions needed to achieve economic prosperity. If the US fails to initiate measures to tackle youth violence, the ill effects of this problem will only persist.
Youth Personality Precursors
As part of their discussion, Bushman et al. (2016) highlight some of the personality precursors to youth violence. They essentially suggest that there are some personality traits that are risk factors for youth violence. Narcissistic, psychopathic, and Machiavellinistic traits are some of these. Antisocial behavior and low self-esteem are other personality traits that Bushman et al. (2016) associate with youth violence. They indicate that young people with these traits turn to violence to gain respect and validation. Furthermore, according to Bushman et al. (2016), Machiavellianism pushes individuals to acquire power through any means necessary, including through violence and aggression. While they note that there is a clear link between violence and personality, Bushman et al. (2016) suggest that caution should be exercised. The mere fact that individuals exhibit certain personality traits does not necessarily mean that they are violent or aggressive.
In conclusion, youth violence continues to plague the US. Mass shootings have become so common that the nation is recognizing that it must implement urgent solutions. Scholars are among the stakeholders who are playing a crucial role in designing effective interventions. Bushman et al. (2016) advise that to successfully tackle youth violence, the US needs to begin by understanding the root causes of this problem. The country should recognize that such factors as poverty, dysfunctional families, and substance abuse are among the forces that push young people into violence. It should then proceed to craft solutions that account for the various risk factors for violence and aggression among the youth.
Reference
Bushman, B. I., Calvert, S. L., Dredze, M., Jablonski, N. G., Morrill, C., Romer, D., Newman, K., Downey, G., Gottfredson, M., Masten, A. S., Neill, D. B., & Webster, D. W. (2016). Youth violence: what we know and what we need to know. American Psychologist, 71 (1), 17-39.
