Topic: Teen Violence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Teenage violence has become a very contentious and polarizing issue for many within the United States. The proliferation of social media and its entrenchment within the lives of teens has caused concern. Studies have shown that most teenagers are still undergoing brain development. As a result of these development, many are unable to make properly informed decisions. In addition, due to an overall lack of life experience, teens are heavily subject to rash and often irrational behavior. Research has also shown that the influence of peers during the stage of development is much higher than parents family influence (Sheley, 1996). As peers have a very large influence on the behavior of adolescents, it is imperative to examine the adolescents sphere of influence. Through observation of the immediate peers that that the adolescent is exposed, behaviors can more readily be predicted. As it relates to violence, many teenage offenders are often exposed to violence at a very young age, either through immediate family or peer relationship. Likewise, the violent behavior is often normalized creating a sense of regularity for behavior that is typically uncommon. In addition unrealistic expectations proprogated by social media create a false narrative as to what is cool or acceptable behavior in society. Many teens, in an effort to be accepted or to become popular often engage in unproductive behavior simply because their peers or social media promote it (Kahn, 1998). Self-destructive behaviors through popular channels are often promoted in a manner that is often misconstrued as socially acceptable. A very common example is hip hop videos which promote violence within their lyrics. Many of the lyrics often embrace self-destructive habits such as assault, homicide, and murder. Each of these elements are shunned in society but through popular hip-hop music they are embraced, created a mismatch between what is acceptable in society and what is perceived to be cool or acceptable. Songs such as Cardi Bs W.A.P misconstrue promiscuous behavior with Womens empowerment, further confusing vulnerable teens, many of which tend to be minorities. In addition there is a lack of father figures within many of these vulnerable communities who can course correct this behavior and improve it. This combination of a lack of

Between 2010 and 2020, the number juveniles arrested in Baton Rouge alone increase over 70% from 4716 in 2010 to 8017 in 2020. In 2010 nearly 25% of juveniles arrested where repeat offenders indicating a pattern of criminal behavior in a teens life. By 2020, this figure has risen slightly to roughly 28%. Sixteen percent of these juveniles had committed a total of 1040 violent crimes, including 21 homicides, 65 armed robberies, and 156 aggravated assaults. As a result of these...…includes providing skills and job training seminars for youth and their families. The aim here, is to provide jobs, skills, training, and education services designed to help youth become more marketable within the job market. By being more marketable within the job market, youth are less likely to turn to illegal activities to supplement their overall income. Jobs can also provide a real-world education that youth can then use to pursue better higher paying jobs. Higher incomes also allow youth to learn soft skills related to time management, customer service, and other behaviors that enhance their value to society. By being productive members of society, youth will be in a much better position to avoid criminal behaviors within the high-risk zip codes.

The third and fourth pillars are designed to mobilize the community at a grassroots level to address hard to reach families and very high-risk youth. This pillar is particularly important as these families may not be aware of the intervention techniques being used within the community. By communicating with law enforcement, they are in a position to better address these high-risk families. Finally, the fourth pillar is designed to increase the long-term resources to further prevent future teen violence. This involves investment in schools, community programs, education, and other programs designed to help support future generations of youth within the two high risk zip codes. These future investments will require a commitment on the part of the partnership to commit financial and human capital resources to these two communities over…