What causes kids to commit violent acts? It would be presumptuous to assume
that we have all the answers. Each incident is different, and there are a number
of variables that contribute to each individual act of violence.
Meanwhile, we must remember that the vast majority of kids don't commit violent
acts. It is safe to say, however, that any juvenile violence is disconcerting,
and brutal juvenile shootings and murders such as the ones at Littleton, Colorado's Columbine
High School in April, 1999 are especially heinous. The two killers in Littleton
were reportedly laughing and chatting with one another as they shot their fellow
students at point-blank range.1
The problem is not primarily youth having access to guns.
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What could possibly cause a young person to come to this place? We have heard
literally every possible explanation ranging from youth access to guns to mental
disorders.
While every child is different and every situation is unique, research on violent
juveniles has shown that there are at least three characteristics that emerge
repeatedly:
When these three come together, they form a lethal mixture that is especially
harmful to children. Only a small percentage of young persons react to this
combination by committing a violent act, but a vast number of youth are acting
out in other ways as they struggle to come to terms with what they consider
to be an intolerable world.
Dr. James Garbarino, of Cornell University, has conducted numerous interviews
with juvenile murderers over the years. In his book, Lost Boys: Why Our
Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them, he shows that juveniles who
act out violently share some common characteristics, primarily those mentioned
above.2
What is clear from his research is that the problem is not primarily youth
having access to guns. In fact, it is notable that the Columbine killers were
planning to cause most of their destruction of human life by using a homemade
pipe bomb attached to an ordinary, outdoor-grill propane tank. 3
The weapon of choice is not a "root" cause. Until we are ready to
address the deeper issues, young persons will continue to act out violently,
whether they choose to use a propane tank, a gun, a knife, a baseball bat or
their fists.
— John C. Thomas
Endnotes:
1Mike Anton, "Death Goes to School
with Cold, Evil Laughter," Denver Rocky Mountain News, April 22, 1999,
p. 2A.
2Dr. James Garbarino, Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save
Them, (New York: The Free Press), 1999.
3Kevin Vaughan, "Gunmen Had it All Mapped Out," Denver Rocky Mountain
News, April 25, 1999, p. 2AA. Juvenile Violence
Adapted from "The Root Causes of Juvenile Violence."
Copyright © 1999 Focus on the Family.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
