The debate was spirited to say the least. Although the resolution was not passed, it raised the question of what responsibility we have in decreasing violence in our society and helping families make sure that their children do not become a front page news story involving another mass shooting. When many of us started in pediatrics, meningitis and other infectious diseases were the enemies of children aged 1 - 19. One out of 3 deaths in older adolescence is due to homicide or suicide. For every intentional or unintentional death there are three injuries.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescence.
Five hundred children are accidentally killed by firearms every year. The statistics become more dramatic each year. The question that confronts us is whether our role is simply to treat and help prevent disease, or whether we have a broader role in shaping children's values and family environment. The answer to that question is probably different for each of us depending on our training, our personality, and our experiences. I would encourage you to wrestle with this question and to find ways that you can fulfill the responsibility that you feel is appropriate within your practice.