Environment and Youth Violence

A study completed at Northeastern University suggests that environmental factors such as Church and community involvement protected boys and girls from violence and crime.

Examining data from 1400 teenagers who lived in an upper middle class suburban neighborhood, researchers tabulated the relationships found among social controls, family bonds, church and community involvement and delinquent conduct.

Involvement with extracurricular activities after school, community and Church seemed to offer significant protection for both male and female teenagers from serious delinquent activities such as fighting, carrying a weapon or violence.

However, it did not protect them from risky behavior such as drinking, smoking or drunk driving. How young people felt about their school also had a profound impact on their actions. Those who viewed the academic environment in a positive way tended to be less involved with anti-social behavior.

Read more at http://parentingteens.suite101.com/article.cfm/youth_violence_and_genes