Teen Boys &amp; Dating Violence

Fortunately, most teens do not experience dating violence. However, the U.S. Department of Justice calculates that as of 2007, 10 percent of adolescents who'd been in relationships admitted that their partner had become physically abusive. Though with many teen relationships both parties act aggressively, the victims of physical abuse are disproportionately female. Teenage boys who act violently are rarely tried as adults for their actions, and often carry this destructive behavior into adulthood.

According to the American Psychological Association, violent video games can contribute to violent and negative behavior. Those who play video games extensively are practicing violence as a skill, and without thinking, may use this learned behavior. Though teenage boys may be exposed to violence in movies and on television, video games are particularly harmful, as the player himself is purposely causing harm to kill or hurt a character. Over time, teenagers become desensitized and can see violence as a way of life.

Many people become violent in relationships to assert their power. In adult relationships and marriages in particular, there is typically a division of labor. Men and women find themselves responsible for different duties--making money, caring for the home and children and even running errands. However, with adolescent relationships, nothing needs to be accomplished. Teenage boys do not have the opportunity to act as a provider, and in many teen relationships, girls are reported as the ones in power. Quite in balance with this theory, the U.S. Dept. of Justice has found that the majority of males who reported violence (or were reported as being violent) also perceived themselves as the one in the relationship with less power.

Teens are not as equipped as adults to handle crises.

Teenage boys do not have the same life experience or coping mechanisms that grown men do. Whereas an adult man might have learned to think rationally, a teenage boy is more likely to act from his gut. Additionally instead of reacting appropriately to a crisis--talking through trouble or even stepping away to calm down--a teenage boy might act impulsively, even using physical force without thinking about consequences. Dr James Garbarino, Ph.D., discusses these issues in his book "Lost Boys: Why our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them."

An abandoned child may have trouble handling overwhelming emotions.

Violence can start for a variety of reasons, but it never comes out of nowhere. Unfortunately, many learn about violence at home. There are several situations that contribute to violence in teenage boys. Some teenage boys watch parents being abusive toward one another. Sometimes one parent abandons a family, leaving teenagers angry, sad and confused. And there are teenagers who simply suffer from depression or other disorders that affect their mood and behavior. The American Psychological Association ultimately believe that teen violence statistics can be helped by psychological intervention.

Violence does not occur in every relationship, but it is 100 percent avoidable. Unfortunately, some teenagers grow up to believe that it's acceptable to be physically aggressive with their partners. This is particularly true of teens who see violence in their own homes. The key to prevention is education and providing resources for teens in abusive relationships to get help. Teachers should note signs of abuse and intervene as necessary.

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