Tell a friend
about
psparents.net

The Effects of Violence on Young Children
Marilyn S. Massey

What causes school violence? Does violent television programming make children more aggressive? Is bullying really a big deal? What makes girls turn to violence? In answering these and other questions, this section of "The ERIC Review" highlights the concept that to prevent school violence, one must understand it. The first four articles trace the origins of school violence to the environments in which children are raised, discuss the harmful effects of violence on developmental and educational outcomes, and suggest ways that parents and educators can create environments in which children learn to solve problems nonviolently. Because early intervention is not always successful, the final article describes the warning signs that typically precede a violent school incident.

Some Things You Should Know About the Effects of Violence on Children                                                                                                The American Academy of Pediatrics                                       

Children who are victims or witnesses of violence are likely to exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

	fear, worried about being safe
	aggression toward others
	depression
	sleeplessness
	reluctance to explore their physical environment
	psychosomatic symptoms (headaches, stomachaches)
	mental disorders (neuroses, anxiety)
	eating disorders
	lowered self-esteem
	withdrawal
	poor school performance,  difficulty paying attention
	suicidal tendencies
	post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - a life stressor that leads to re-experiencing the trauma, avoidant behavior, numbing of responsiveness, increased or decreased arousal, and a variety of other symptoms.