Children that experienced a personal, caring relationship with an adult before age 6 are less likely to be violent in teen years, said Chuck Smith, who is with K-State Research and Extension. Smith said a healthy relationship at that age can help children care about others and deal with anger. Someone who cares about others won t want to inflict hurt on them, and you don t care for others unless you feel like you have been cared for. Smith said that in a caring home a child often does not want to disappoint the nurturing parent, which leads the child to behave more appropriately. A home life that teaches children how to deal with anger in a healthy way also helps prevent violence.
Violence is based on powerlessness and ignorance.
If a child feels smart and powerful a feeling nurtured in babies then he or she can often find alternative ways to deal with the anger. While a healthy home life reduces the likelihood of violent behavior, it is possible that even the most cared for and loved people can behave violently, because situational factors are so strong. Basically, support from parents can, in a way, innoculate the child for violent behavior. A good home only goes so far. Smith said violence prevention programs need to address more than one age group and more than one audience.