Today's youth are faced with societal and peer pressures that dramatically impact their behavior and sense of self. We must reach out where we can to prevent potential violent behavior in our students. Ultimately, parents and children are primarily responsible for their actions, and we must find the tools to improve parental involvement and oversight of their children. Already in the media there is a debate about the parents' potential liability, and that debate will continue to rage. While parents can and do make all the difference in their children's lives, not all parents are equipped to respond adequately.
Early intervention can help prevent outbursts of violence.
If we want to protect our students better and provide a better learning environment, schools need qualified counselors and social workers to identify the danger signals and take action to defuse the situation before it erupts. Youth need an outlet. Speaking to a qualified counselor or social worker can make all the difference in the outcome and future behavior of youth. Similarly, social workers can identify the danger signs long before others might be able or willing to do so. With their specialized training, social workers can work with the family to ensure that they receive the necessary tools to deal with teenage anger.