How School Environments Contribute to Violent Behavior in Youth

Abstract

Schools are not perceived as safe havens. Students, school administrators, teachers, and parents recognize the school environment as a place where victimization occurs-often. This perception elicits fear and the devastating consequences of withdrawal, defending, and the stress/trauma response in students and school staff. Schools must understand the association between victimization and violent behaviors relating to the perceived stress/trauma response. Schools must also understand that reactive and punitive responses do not eliminate the common forms of victimization that erode the school's milieu and function. Schools must maintain self-examination regarding their contribution to their violent environments and engage in active efforts of reorganization and definition of purpose.

Key Words:

• Victimization
• violence
• trauma
• school safety
• policy