The pregnant women lived in areas with high concentrations of older-type of lead-contaminated dwellings (Wright et al.). Commendable efforts have been expended to reduce exposures to tobacco and environmental lead at this time. But millions of young people continue to be exposed to them in levels sufficient to put them at risk of persistent violent and criminal behaviors (Braun et al.).
Trauma
Studies conducted with a wide range of age groups, populations and types of trauma showed that traumatized children and adolescents face a high risk of developing different behavioral, psychological and neurobiological problems (Caffo et al., 2005). Early traumatic experiences can have strong and lasting behavioral and psychological consequences in the young. These include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, depression, anxiety and psycho-functional impairment. Strong social support may shield the young from the effects of traumatic events. These events include community violence, natural and man-made disasters, child abuse and maltreatment, road traffic accidents and exposure to medical illnesses and death. A study of 349 traumatized adolescents from 9 U.S. middle schools revealed that 76% of them witnessed or were victims of at least one violent event in the previous three months. Another study of 2,041 Kenyan adolescents found that 80% of them had the same experience. Children and adolescents who are exposed to or become victims of war and terrorism are at an especially high risk of developing trauma and other psychosocial consequences (Caffo et al.).
Effects on Society
Another nationally representative study on adolescent students showed that more than one-fifth of them engaged in problem behaviors, which have potentially damaging consequences to themselves, their families, the community and society in general
(Bartlett et al., 2007). These problem behaviors include skipping school, alcohol and substance use, stealing, running away and engaging in sex. Problem behaviors put them at a high risk for other deleterious conditions in adolescence and adulthood. These conditions include early death (Bartlett et al.).
A meta-analysis of more than 100 researches showed the connection of delinquent behaviors to poor academic performance and involvement with delinquent peers (Henry & Huizinga, 2007). On account of truancy as a serious national concern in most school districts in the United States, a national survey of 1,528 adolescents was conducted in 2003 to study its proportions. These and other researches identified delinquent peer association as a most significant and decisive predictor of delinquency....
This in turn more often than not leads the stigmatized to acquire more and more deviant and possibly criminal identities (Lanier & Henry, 1998). There can, of course, be other antecedents prior to labeling that can enhance the process of delinquency in juveniles. Mental and/or psychological impairments must also be considered as a contributing factor. Certain of these attributes can also contribute to highly suggestible levels in regards to behavior
Figure 1 portrays three of the scenes 20/20 presented March 15, 2010. Figure 1: Heather, Rachel, and Unnamed Girl in 20/20 Program (adapted from Stossel, 2010). Statement of the Problem For any individual, the death of a family member, friend, parent or sibling may often be overwhelming. For adolescents, the death of person close to them may prove much more traumatic as it can disrupt adolescent development. Diana Mahoney (2008), with the
" (Eagleheart, 2000) Eagleheart (2002) notes that violence does constitute a primary concern for children, particularly in schools. Rather than contributing video games as a cause of violence in children, she encourages educators and others to look deeper and consider that violene has goals; that the particular goal will depend on the individual. At times, goals of violence may be evident, conscious choices from a child is playing now wants. Other
Concomitantly, gangs such as the Crips and the Bloods were created from the former members of movements meant to increase the reputation of black individuals in the U.S. because they had diverging opinions and wanted diversity. The Crips and the Bloods can be deemed as subcultures of the pro-black movements, given the fact that the people that were once part of the larger group did not agree on certain
The roots of social control theory can be traced back to Emile Durkheim, who in the late 1800s proposed that "The more weakened the groups to which [the individual] belongs, the less he depends on them, the more he consequently depends only on himself and recognizes no other rules of conduct than what are founded on his private interests" (209). Hirschi expanded upon this theory to include the influence of
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