NCJ Number
180275
Date Published
1999
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video examines school violence and violence prevention; its two segments present adolescents' perspectives on causes and solutions to school violence and a community forum broadcast live from the city council chambers of Ontario, Calif., on August 25, 1999.
Abstract
The first segment consists of a 25-minute film exploring why students join different groups and why some students feel alienated, rejected, and angry. It notes that 10 percent of the national population is aged 12-19, that youth spend an average of 3.5 hours each day alone, and that the need to feel wanted and to belong is especially acute from ages 12 to 14 years. It also notes that most youths become part of large groups, some join small groups, and a small percentage of youths are loners. It discusses behavioral warning signs that might indicate a youth at risk. This segment also violent incidents such as shooting at schools around the country. The film features appearances and discussions of personal experiences from teenage television actors and an adult actor. The town-hall forum presents a panel of mental health professionals, school administrators, police officials, and actor/director David Faustino. The moderator was former professional football player and sports commentator Kermit Alexander. Adolescents and parents in the audience raise issues related to youth, school uniforms, school prayer, video games, and movie censorship.