Teenagers already have enough to face with the pressures of adolescence, and now many must live with the fear of violence as well. Centretown high schools have not been immune to the recent rash of violent acts committed by youth across North America.
A student at Immaculata High School was stabbed Feb. 9 in a schoolyard scuffle, and four days later one young man died and another was injured at the Lowertown Community Centre after a dispute turned ugly.
Programs to prevent teen violence don’t seem to be working. For example, an ad campaign in British Columbia aimed at teenagers depicting the impact violence can have on kids received a failing grade from students. They said the ads raise issues they already deal with on a day-to-day basis.
The problem is politicians and other decision-makers don’t remember what it’s like to be a teenager.
There has to be more communication between these two groups to foster new programs teenagers will actually be drawn to and use.
The City of Toronto has taken initiatives since the brutal gang beating death of 15-year-old “Matti” Baranovski last November. A task force on youth has been formed and city council has a teenager that advises it on youth issues.
Perhaps the City of Ottawa could help the problem by setting up its own youth task force or having teens advise councillors on issues that affect youth.
Toronto also has recently approved $800,000 in funding for programs that include counselling centres for teens in shopping malls, and sports and recreation programs.
But the best place to start, in preventing teen violence, is in the home. Studies have shown that teenagers who have a good relationship with their parents are less likely to commit violent acts.
In today’s society where many families are split up or both parents are working outside of the home, it’s hard for parents to spend time with their kids. Too often the television, where violent acts are commonplace, becomes a babysitter when Mom and Dad aren’t home. Traditional role models that kids look up to such as television and sports stars are failing our youth. Football heroes are being charged with murder, and rock stars and movie actors are being charged with beating up their girlfriends.
The best thing to prevent violence? Find out how their day was, ask them what they’re working on in school – take an interest, help them talk about their problems.
Showing a child they’re cared for and respected goes a long way to assuring a better chance and a brighter future for them.
—Laura Copeland and Daniel McHardie