NCJ Number
212441
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 75-93
Date Published
2005
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined perceptions related to the nature and causes of conflict and violence among African-American girls attending an urban high school.
Abstract
Queen City High School was a troubled school; most of the mainly African-American student population received public assistance and resided in the public housing that flanked both sides of the school. Upon investigation of the notorious violence problem at the school, researchers found that the violence was mainly a problem of the female population. In order to understand the nature and causes of this girl violence, the authors conducted a qualitative study in which 14 female students, 6 male students, and schoolteachers, administrators, and other school personnel were interviewed regarding their perceptions of the girl violence problem. Interview transcripts and field notes from 2 years of research at the school were analyzed using grounded theory method. Results were consistent with previous research on the adolescent and girl violence problem within economically deprived areas. Among the factors negatively impacting girl violence at the school were teacher and student disengagement, peer group valuing of violent conflict, and concern for reputation as a way of ensuring personal safety. Teachers and administrators contributed to the violence problem by the use of impersonal and judgmental styles of relating to students. Interventions involving compassionate mediators worked well to remove conflict among girls from the school setting. References