What Causes Violent Behavior

Posted On In Anger, Behavior, Parenting

What Causes Violent Behavior

There are many theories about what causes violent behavior in children.  “Kids who are violent may have attention deficit disorder or impulse control problems, or they may have simply picked up violence as a way to handle conflict from the society at large.” (1)

Television and movies tend to glamorize violence, and its impact on children cannot help but be negative. “Hundreds of studies of the effects of TV violence on children and teenagers have found that children may become “immune” or numb to the horror of violence … gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems … imitate the violence they observe on television; and … identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers.” (2)

To lessen the effect of televised violence, parents can “set limits on the amount of time they spend with the television; consider removing the TV set from the child’s bedroom … point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death … and disapprove of the violent episodes in front of the children, stressing the belief that such behavior is not the best way to resolve a problem.” (3)

But, of course, television is not the only cause of violent behavior in children, and limiting television can only help so much.  “If you are trying to raise reasonable, well-behaved kids, you should reduce the violent influences in your child’s life. Stress other ways to resolve conflict. Just because human beings struggle against violent tendencies doesn’t mean violence is acceptable in your child or in your household.” (4)

Be sure to model non-violent behavior and refuse to accept violence as a problem-solving method for your child.  However, if the violence is extreme and uncontrolled, you should seek help from a child counselor or other mental health professional.

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Endnotes

  1. “The Violent Child in Our Violent Society.” Family Education.com. Undated. Retr. 15 Mar. 2012 <http://life.familyeducation.com/parenting/violence/45337.html#ixzz1pIMzeVjH>
  1. Children and TV Violence.” American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2010. Retr. 15 Mar. 2012 <http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?name=children+and+TV+violence&section=Facts+for+Families>
  2. Ibid.
  3. “The Violent Child in our Violent Society.” Retr. 15 Mar. 2012