WHAT MAKES A TROUBLED CHILD?
When faced with problems, people express emotions in different ways: Depression, anger, feelings of worthlessness, or thoughts of suicide. Adults can help spot a troubled child before the signs of violence are obvious. watch for warning signs, including drastic changes in behavior. The more characteristics a child exhibits, the greater the risk of becoming violent, hurting themselves or others.
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VIOLENT TENDENCIES |
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Outbursts of rage when provoked |
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Carrying a weapon or bringing it to school |
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Preoccupation with weapons, explosives, or other incendiary devices |
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Name calling, cursing, or abusive language |
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Outbursts of rage when provoked |
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Being bullied or bullying others |
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Escalating physical fighting and assaults |
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Long History of serious disciplinary problems at school and in the community. |
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INFANT RISKS |
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Prenatal difficulties (low birth weight, oxygen deprivation, ects.) |
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Physical trauma |
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Minor physical abnormalities and brain damage |
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Lack of early nurturing (love, ect) |
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EARLY CHILDHOOD RISKS |
| Many unexplained stomach aches or head aches |
| Unusual sleep patterns |
| Hyperactivity or excessive restlessness |
| Little empathy for others |
| Tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts |
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Easily frustrated, irritable, hostile |
| Impulsive, hot headed, bullies peers |
| Sad, tends to portray the world as bleak or hopeless, feels like no one cares. |
| Does not enjoy activities |
| Unusual desire for privacy and secrecy |
| Pre-Teen |
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Inflated but fragile sense of self importance |
| Lack of discipline |
| Alcohol or other drug abuse or dependency |
| Preference for T.V., art, movies, music, video games, computer chat rooms, or books with morbid or violent themes, rituals, or abuse |
| Preoccupation with aggressive fantasies |
| Involvement with a gang or other group of peers who engage in violence, rebellion |
| Uncharacteristic social withdrawal, whether alone or in cult like groups |
| Obsession with one color of clothing or logo, swastikas, skulls, gravestones, and or sadomasochistic games |
| Threats of hurting themselves or others, particularly when angry |
| Unusual levels of risk taking , in life threatening situations |
| Threats of suicide |
| Cruelty toward animals |
| Others always blamed for problems or failures |
| Failed romance or perception of one |
| Little physical activity |
| Inability to cope with stress, displays of anger or frustration |
| Low self-esteem, depression, mood swings |
| Antisocial with few and no close friends |
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Sets fires |
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FAMILY RISKS |
| Lack of positive role model or adult supervision, disrespect toward mother or other family members |
| Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect |
| Repeated severe, harsh, or inconsistent punishment, often physical |
| Domestic violence in the home |
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Aggressive interactions between siblings |
| Bizarre and odd behavior |
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No participation with family or activities |
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Breaks parental rules constantly |
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Little respect for family values |
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SCHOOL RISKS |
| Anger, frustration, and the dark side of like reflected in school projects |
| Dropping grades or learning problems |
| Record of truancy, suspensions, or expulsions |
| No participation in school events |
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SOCIAL RISKS |
| Extreme poverty and unemployment in community |
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High crime rates, High population |
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No participation in the community |
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Anti-social |
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SENSELESS ACTS OF VIOLENCE |
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No neighborhood or community is immune from juvenile crime. |
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Four out of ten kids say they know someone troubled enough to be a potential killer. |
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Placing all of the blame on gangs or drugs alone does not reflect the depth or complexity of the problem. No single factor by itself causes youth violence. For troubled kids violence is seen as the only alternative left. In many cases they carefully plan their crimes and thoroughly premeditate the actual events. |
| KIDS ARE THREATENED EVERY DAY IN EVERY COMMUNITY BY |
| Domestic violence |
| Hate crimes |
| Sexual violence |
| Violence among peers |
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KIDS WHO TURN TO VIOLENCE SHOW A COMMON DESIRE FOR |
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Achieving and maintaining a high social status |
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Materialism and social identity |
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Power |
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Rough justice, social control, and self help |
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Defiance against authoritative figures and law enforcement |
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PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY |
| Giving consistent love and attention |
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Helping children to value their lives, opportunities, and dreams |
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Knowing as much as possible about their child's friends and how their time is spent |
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Being a good listener. Most kids reach out to someone they can talk to and trust. |
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Discussing violence, its consequences, and positive ways to handle potentially violent situations with appropriate problem solving. |
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helping to fight existing gangs and discouraging kids from joining them. Having a "zero tolerance" policy in their homes against any form of violence. |
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Teaching children the value of human life and that respect and self worth are not earned through violence and intimidation |
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Promoting a community that values each individual and has zero tolerance for violence, intimidation or fear |
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Working with their communities to encourage groups to mentor, tutor, and coach children |
The many recent tragedies defy easy explanations or solutions. Lives can be saved if adults more carefully scrutinize the aggressive behavior of the children that they are with every day. However, realize that kids can be quite skillful at hiding who they are from adults, especially parents.
