NCJ Number
154542
Date Published
1994
Length
295 pages
Annotation
This three-volume violence prevention curriculum covers aggression (7th grade), gender equality and media awareness (8th grade), and healthy relationships (9th grade).
Abstract
The curriculum addresses underlying issues that contribute to violent behavior, examines cultural values that influence violent behavior, and explores psychosocial dynamics of male violence. The curriculum attempts to help students analyze the culture of violence that condones abusive behavior and empower them to create a violence-free culture. Targeting 7th graders, the volume on aggression explores emotions, the "nuts and bolts" of aggression, responsibility, and conflict resolution. Lessons are designed to help students recognize the range of emotions that can lead to violent outbursts and to identify nonaggressive alternatives. Having learned the various nuances of aggression, the volume on gender equality and media awareness introduces students to violent influences in the mass media. The intent is to give students tools that will enable them to stand back and take a critical look at the messages they see. To this end, the curriculum covers gender stereotypes and gender equality. Since relationships become increasingly important for 9th graders, lessons in the final volume progress from an investigation of male violence against women to an exploration of healthy relationships. The curriculum is designed to help students learn various communication skills in small group settings. This format allows them to experience the dynamics of relationships and to work together on issues of violence and gender equality. Lessons focus on conflict in relationships, how sexism leads to violence, and understanding anger. Activity sheets accompany the lessons.