What is the Cause of Teen Violence

"Teen violence refers to harmful behaviors that can start early and continue into young adulthood" (Teen Violence). As generations continue to pass, the issue of teen violence remains. Why do kids act the way they do? What factors into their violent behavior? Questions like these do not have straight answers; instead, they seek out people's differing opinions. John Leo, Mike Males, Gloria Steinem, Charlie James, Chuck Shelton, Annette Fuentes, and James Garbarino share their opinions about the controversy of teen violence through newspaper and magazine articles. Each article has its own unique points, whether they are strong or weak. "Children in a Violent World" by James Garbarino offers the most convincing causal analysis and helps reveal the problem of teen violence to his readers.

James Garbarino's article, "Children in a Violent World" encompasses compelling reasoning behind the cause of teen violence. James Garbarino is a psychologist, a professor at Cornell University, and the director of the Family Life Development Center; therefore, this article contains strong ethos. He is not only credible, but he also integrated outside sources to strengthen his points. Garbarino was the only person, out of the seven to utilize various sources, and as a result of this, his logos is clear and effective. Along with ethos and logos, Garbarino also incorporated pathos, the appeal to an audience’s emotions. Emotions and spirituality play an important role in “Children in a Violent World” because they provoke readers into seeing the emotional side of the spectrum. His article appertains to social toxicity as being the cause of teen violence. “The concept of social toxicity refers to the idea that there can be cultural an...

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...n in a Violent World" has clear points, addresses a wide audience, and makes no assumptions.

All in all, the seven articles delivered contrasting causes of teen violence. James Garbarino’s article, “Children in a Violent World” has the strongest ethos, logos, and pathos, and it also provided the choice causal analysis. While other authors lacked support and made assumptions, Garbarino generated a much more appealing argument to a wider audience. So in regards to this reasoning, James Garbarino's "Children in a Violent World" has the most convincing causal analysis on the issue of teen violence.

Works Cited

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001. Print.

"Teen Violence: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.