Violence in America: Coping with Drugs, Distressed Families, Inadequate Schooling, and Acts of Hate

• NCJ Number: 181374
• Author(s): Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 167 pages
• Sale Source: Continuum Publishing Company
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After examining the causes and effects of violent behavior, this book profiles practical coping strategies and proven programs for reducing and preventing violent behavior.

Abstract

Four chapters examine the causes of violence in America. One chapter provides an overview of America's current culture of violence, including the nature and extent of violence in America during the past 35 years; the emergence of the postindustrial state; and the impact of the postindustrial state on the basic societal institutions of business, government, the family, school, and religion. Another chapter reviews the possible biological risk factors for violence that may be exacerbated and unleashed during anomic periods when the sense of community is weakened. A chapter on the sociological factors in violence considers the nature of bonding and caring attachments, poverty, domestic violence, discrimination, inadequate schooling, substance abuse, easily available weapons, and violence in the media. In the fourth chapter, a brief review of the general process of psychological awareness and problemsolving is followed by a summary of helpful and harmful strategies for mastery and an examination of the process of meaning, including the issues of evil and free choice. Part 2 contains two chapters on solutions for violence in America. These solutions focus on the sociological risk factors for violence. One chapter describes initiatives in business and government. Businesses can develop company policies and programs that are family-friendly for their employees and that assist employees in finding needed balance between work and family. Some companies become involved in supporting programs that address specific risk factors associated with violence. Attention is given to how businesses strengthen a community and deal with violence in the workplace. Government efforts to counter violence are in the areas of protectionism, education and training, public works, and tax policies. The concluding chapter discusses how families, schools, and religious institutions can exert influences that prevent and reduce violent behavior. Appended list of selected scientific references of studies of offenders and a selected list of national associations involved in reducing violence, a 72-item bibliography, and a subject index