Urban School Violence: Responding with Culture and Protective Factors Among Youth of Color

Abstract

Agnew’s (J Res Crime Delinq 36:123 155, 1999) study of youth behavior and negative situations found that those settings that frequently possess aggressive or vicious environments (i.e., a youth’s neighborhood) promote nervousness and antagonism for those who witness it. These environments result in increased exposure to violence that is associated with engagement in school and community-based violence. Several studies indicate that socialization designed to bolster certain cultural, self, social, and familial protective factors can reduce delinquent attitudes and behaviors among urban youth. This chapter will review the literature that supports the importance of protective factors in violence reduction. This chapter will also provide suggestions for school violence interventions.