Economic stress raises all other risk factors. In these times of economic prosperity, we too easily forget that social problems like youth violence are exacerbated dramatically during times of economic hardship. We should use this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to a national economic policy of providing every family in America the opportunity to succeed economically through hard work. The latchkey factor is not necessarily indicative of a child with a propensity toward violence. Rather, negative parenting is the biggest factor.
Parental engagement is the single most important factor in a child's healthy development.
Character education that involves the parents can help children to develop a healthy sense of self and self-worth. Schools can be a focal point to strengthen the relationship between parents and children through such joint efforts as character education. Character education integrated throughout the curriculum can help children develop and strengthen basic values such as honesty, integrity, courage, respect for self and others, perseverance, kindness, etc. With young people, peer relationships are a key factor because youths tend to offend and take offense in groups. All efforts to reach young people must recognize this central fact and work within the reality of the social structure of the youth culture.