Aggression in Today's Youth
The Current Situation
One week ago, a Grand Haven 13-year old was arrested on sexual assault charges after attacking an 18 year old woman in her home. He followed her home as she took a bicycle ride. After assaulting her, he went on to attempt an attack on two more area women. ( Full Text ).
The Grand Rapids Press carried an article on April 15th about gang violence at local dance clubs for teenagers. Shots were fired, someone died, neighbors were terrorized, and the safety of many residents was put in jeopardy ( Full Text ).
On April 2, in Pontiac, Michigan, a 14-year-old was accused of threatening to kill students and school officials. He will undergo a psychological exam to see if he can be held criminally responsible ( Full Text ).
In early June, the Coopersville School Board expelled four students who they say led hazing against
five other members of the junior varsity baseball team. The school board president says they are
good kids but they made some very bad decisions. "We won't tolerate that kind of behavior here,"
says Coopersville Board of Education President Tim Postma.
( Full Text ).
On June 5 at East Kentwood High School Kentwood - Kent County Sheriff's detectives say a 16-year-old boy has admitted that he was the source of a threat against the staff at East Kentwood High School. The threat was called in to the sheriff's Communication's Center overnight. The district superintendent decided to shut down the high school and Freshman Center as a precaution ( Full Text ).
Quick Facts
- In 2003, 5,570 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered - an average of 15 each day. Of these victims, 82% were killed with firearms (CDC 2006).
- In 2004, more than 750,000 young people ages 10 to 24 were treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained due to violence (CDC 2006).
- In a nationwide survey of high school students (CDC 2004):
- 33% reported being in a physical fight one or more times in the 12 months preceding the survey.
- 17% reported carrying a weapon (e.g., gun, knife, or club) on one or more of the 30 days preceding the survey.
- An estimated 30% of 6th to 10th graders in the United States were involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying, or both (Nansel et al. 2001).
