jnnfrhltn asked this question on 3/20/2000:
I am doing a paper for my Methods of Social Reseach class. My question is what causes youth violence?
masterpeace gave this response on 3/21/2000:
Dear jnnfrhltn,
First and foremost, let me commend you on your task. It is time that sincere people take a look at the dilemma that our nation faces today with a sincere heart. Based on my 30 years of experience working with kids throughout this nation, I have come to the conclusion that kids were never born to be violent prone---they've been taught.
My answer to you is quite simple. After working with Bloods, Crips, White Supremacists and some of the hardest Brown Soul gangsters in prisons and also in my live in-rehabilitation center, I've come to the conclusion that violence is a seed injected into the minds and hearts of the children at a very early age. The truth of the matter is that teen violence is born out of a broken heart. A broken heart is nothing more than a soul that has been hurt---in pain. Perhaps there has been a divorce in the home, abuse, etc.
The child, upon being nursed from his/her mother's breast, is overtaken by this particular love, and as time goes on, it is without a doubt that at the moment that s/he is conceived, to the age 7 or 8, their heroes are their parents. When crises hit the midst of the home, children are devastated, and therefore, their hearts become broken. It is a broken heart that opens the door and gives entrance to hurt and pain, which develops into bitterness, and from bitterness turns into hatred. By the time the child becomes 10, 12, 13 years of age, s/he becomes verbally violent. Over age 12-13, they become physically violent. It is an issue of the heart. This is the reason physicians, eductors, psychiatrists, clergymen have not been able to impact and cure this dilemma, because it is an issue of the heart.
Children cannot master peace when there is chaos in their minds. The bitterness and the frustration needs to be aired out, and there comes a time when kids begin to believe the first myth that they are no good. Self hatred turns to hating those around you. Self-hatred breeds fear; fear enslaves a young mind---it is a voice that implements seeds of violence, where kids enter into their own world in the island that I call
masterpeace gave this follow-up answer on 3/21/2000:
"I DON'T CARE." This attitude in prison life, is a recruiter's dream.
masterpeace gave this follow-up answer on 3/21/2000:
"I DON'T CARE." This attitude in prison life is a recruiter's dream. The veteran convicts allow their eyes to go to and fro, searching the newly arrived youngsters. The veteran remains silent and pounces on the youngster who states, "I don't care." Because he doesn't care, the older convict can give him a mission to destroy rival enemies in the prison system. If the youth gets caught for killing somebody or bringing in drugs, etc., it doesn't matter to him, because he doesn't care. So it is in the streets. A broken heart doesn't care. As you and I know, it's our attitude that determines our altitude in life.
I hope this has assisted you. I would like you to also know that violence can be implemented in various departments-gang violence, domestic violence, drug-turf violence, which I can also address. Let's continue our journey in teaching kids how to master peace, tranquility, the seed that implements innovation, greatness is the little minds of these precious children. Remember, kids are special, rare, unique-they are engineered to succeed.
Good luck with your paper! Please feel free to communicate with me again.
Masterpeace