Question

5. Identify protective factors and risk factors for violence.

6. Describe the stages of moral development, identify reasons that juveniles commonly break laws, and describe the consequences of arrest and conviction.

7. List self-protection strategies for preventing physical violence and abuse.

8. List self-protection strategies for preventing sexual violence and abuse.

9. List the common characteristics of gangs and the risks of gang membership, and outline a self-protective approach to gangs.

10. Describe the risks created by carrying weapons and strategies to avoid being injured by weapons.

Answer 1

ANSWER) Violence can be defined as a behaviour involving physical force,intended to harm,damage or kill someone. The risk factors do not cause violence but it contributes to the violence occurence. Violence is seen to be more prevelant among the youths. The various risk factors for violence can be categorized into individual, family, peer and social factors and community factors. They are ellaborated below:

1. Individual risk factors:

• History of being a violence victim.
• Hyperactive attention deficit disorders.
• History of an aggressive beahviour.
• Poor behavioural control.
• Drug and alcohol intoxication.
• Antisocial beliefs and attitude.
• Lack of good family environment like conflicts in family.
• High emotional distress
• low IQ
• Low self esteem
• Homelessness

2. Family risk factors:

• Low parenteral attachment in the family
• Low economic status
• Poor monitoring and supervision of children
• Parenteral substance abuse.
• Criminal record of parents.
• Discrimination among children by parents.
• Low parenteral education.
• Authoritarian attitude of parents.

3. Peer and social risk factors:

• Involvement in gangs.
• Social rejection by peers
• Association with deliquent peers.
• Poor academic performance.
• Low school commitment
• Lack of positive role models.
• Unemployment
• Lack of cultural, recreational activities.

4. Community risk factors:

• Socially disorganized neighbours.
• Low levels of community participation
• Diminished economic opportunities.
• Community discrimination and previlages

As identifying the risk factors are important, similarly important is the protective factors which also are categorized as individual, family and social, peer factors.

1. Individual protective factors:

• High edication aspirations.
• Highly developed social skills and competencies
• Positive social orientation.
• Positive reinforcement, appraisal and encouragement.
• Religiosity
• Positive attitudes, values and beliefs.
• High IQ
• Positiev self esteem
• Good mental,physical and emotional health
• Intolerant attitude towards deviance.

2. Family protective factors:

• Respect for family members within and outside the family.
• Openness to discuss problems with parents.
• Offering valuable time to children.
• Good parenting
• Parental supervision
• problem solving skills
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Active involvement of parents in children activities.
• Frequent sharing of experiences and attitudes with parents
• Avoid conflicts and arguments within the family
• Expectations about school performance should be according to the children's capabilities.

3. Peer and social protective factors:

• Commitment to school
• Good constructive companions.
• Non involvement in substance abuse.
• Involvement in prosocial activities.
• Counselors in schools.
• Community participation
• Positive role models
• Strong social supports
• Steady employment
• Education on antisocial behaviours.