U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Children in a Violent World: A Metaphysical Perspective

NCJ Number
176172
Journal
Family and Conciliation Courts Review Volume: 36 Issue: Dated: Pages: issue (July 1998)-367
Author(s)
J Garbarino
Date Published
1998
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The effects of violence on children are discussed by the director of Cornell University's Family Life Development Center.
Abstract
The term "social toxicity" is used to refer to significant changes that have occurred in the social and peer conflict environment of adolescents. The term implies negative cultural and social influences may shorten life or cause well-being to deteriorate and may interact with violence. The result involves cumulative risk factors that affect the extent of violence children may experience. In attempting to understand the nature of violence in human experiences, the author recommends a focus on social science, human studies, and soul-searching. He concludes that, because Americans share a common spiritual ancestry and a common spiritual aspiration, it is possible to find common ground in dealing with violence-related trauma. 16 references