Causes Of Violence In America

Alexander Hamilton. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tupac Shakur. All were extremely influential in their lifetimes and all died much too early at the hand of senseless violence. In the United States alone, about 44 murders happen a day (Reference) and at least 874 people were killed in mass shootings total (Berkowitz). Though the problem is decreasing significantly from the 1990s when it was at its peak, violence continues to be one of the nation’s largest domestic issues. As this issue of violence in America is becoming more apparent and doctors, psychologists and researchers are all trying to determine if unstable childhood development, poverty and lack of opportunity, societal impact, or a combination are the causes of violence in the U.S.

Psychologists have made the conclusion that exposure to unstable home environments have led to violent tendencies and psychological imbalances within children as they mature. In a sense, these conductors of studies believe that it is in the home when children are young that they are most influenced in their future life decisions. The National Center of Victims of Crime posted an article named, “Black Children Exposed to Violence,” which explains how exposure to violence and victimization as a child affects people later into their adulthood. The author explains that 60% of children experience victimization (to treat someone cruelly or unfairly) from the ages of one to 17 (National Center for Victims of Crime). Also, the article continues to explain how guardians perpetuate inappropriate ideas onto their children– damaging their growth and making them more violent. The author uses reason and logic to explain that, “Our nation’s youth do not receive the support and guidance needed to cope with these traumatic experiences [of victimization]” (National Center for Victims of Crime). Additionally, the author worries that parents of low income families will rely less on institutions created to help their child prosper and more on family members and friends who have the same habits which are lowering the child’s standards.
The Journal of the National Medical Association published a study entitled “Co-Victimization of African-American Children Who Witness Violence: Effects on Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Development” which examines the development of children who encounter violence at a young age and the negative effects. This study was conducted by having 400 children in the eighth grade take a Victimization Screening Form which asked questions such as, “Have you witnessed a robbery/ stabbing/ murder/” (Shakoor). Many of these kids were from Chicago and from more recessed areas and attended inner-city schools. By creating a study that uses so many different children with different backgrounds, many ranges of view are taken into account to make a credible argument. In total 85% of those students witnessed some sort of violent crime (Shakoor). In the conclusion of the article, psychologists explain that these students have a lower rate of showcasing future potential because their past and present experiences with violence will propel them into the same lifestyle as those around them like parents and siblings. They also recommend inner-city schools should screen children, give them support, and intervene when necessary.
Some lawyers and journalists are beginning to believe that one of the biggest factors that contributes to violence in the US is poverty and lack of opportunity.

Unemployment, economic downturns and instability are all products of poverty and all causes of crime. In turn, crime then leads to more poverty, thus creating one of the many cycles surrounding violence. (POVERTY). In the article “Violence in the African American Community as a Public Health Issue” it is discussed that the only way to fix the epidemic of violence in America is to take a multi-disciplinary approach which involves the unification of multiple legislatures and communities to help fix the defined and undefined poverty lines and stop violence. The author of this article mentions, “Poverty is like a disease, it gets passed on from generation to generation” (Chipman). By saying this, she expands on the idea poverty is a part of this endless cycle and the hope most people in under-developed areas should feel is likely lost because they feel as if they will never escape. She also includes piercing words which capture the reader’s attention and adds to the article. By creating a plan to help unemployment and increase income in families struck by poverty, the crime rates will go down because the outlook of these people’s lives will become

brighter.
A journalist from The Chicago Tribune wrote an article named “With 500 Homicides in Chicago, Time for African-Americans to Get Tough on Crime” which explains how the city of Chicago would change if it had more opportunities for impoverished African American men. This article is filled with evidence and facts which contributes to the journalist’s story. The journalist says, “African American men- the ones driving Chicago’s homicide numbers- are disproportionately affected by unemployment, lack of opportunity and a long list of injustices that flow from systemic racism” (Glanton). Because of all of these plagues on their lives, they are not able to escape from the life they live, one filled with drugs, guns and violence. It will only be when the city of Chicago realizes this and creates more opportunities that progress will be made.
Other researchers have also found that race and the society one lives in also plays an enormous role in the amount of violence a person will experience in their lifetime. Cultural scholars examined racial history in the article “Breathe, Baby, Breathe” and explain how the idea of white superiority has caused trauma psychologically, historically and culturally to the African American people and created a trap of lives for society to fall into. Race has caused a long history of tension in America and these researchers believe that it is because of whites that African American people, along with other minorities, will never progress. Without this progression, there will be no escape from violence. Toward the conclusion of the article, the researches make a bold statement based in reason in logic by saying, “Until they [whites] confront and work to overcome and overturn the lie of Black inferiority, they will not change a society and systems that profoundly devalue Black lives” (Grills). In this article, it is clear the authors believe whites are the reason for the crime, and it is not until society respects all different colors and creeds that there will be an end to violence like there is today.
In addition to race, the society one lives in also impacts the likelihood to become violent in the future.

The American Journal of Public Health released an article named “Network Exposure and Homicide Victimization In An African American Community” which estimates the risk of victimization and rise in crime rates citizens of high crime rated cities are subjected to. The researchers explain that social networks, especially urban centers, expose people to the most violence. It is stated that, “Risk of homicide in urban areas is even more highly concentrated than previously thought” (Papachristos). These urban areas are the ones most recessed and underdeveloped in the country. The author of the article uses many credible facts and evidence, like the statement above, to explain the crime rates in American cities. Also, the article continues to explain that there are now identifiable sources in these urban areas which cause the most violence such as gangs and recreational activities which will make it easier in the future to eradicate and being solving the problems in the

communities.
In conclusion, it can be stated that although there might be different perspectives to how violence can decrease, it is a universal truth that crime and violence is crippling America as a whole. The only way for society to attack this problem if going from different angles and not letting up. Whether it be working with helping kids in their crucial developmental stages, making more opportunities and creating sources of income, or understanding the community and identify problems and eradicating them- there is a way to stop this problem. Now, it is in the hands of average people, young and old, to work together and stop unnecessary violence once and for all.