Childhood Exposure to Violence

A topic not discussed enough is how violence from one's youth can negatively impact their future. As the number violent hate crimes, physical assaults, other attacks continue to rise, I believe there should be more discussion, research, and insight into how violence stemming from a person's upbringing and childhood can increase the chances they commit an act of violence. Not only will research into this topic allow for better resource allocation in regards to this issue, but also shine a light onto children born into and raised in neighborhoods who commonly experience street and family violence. Through additional research, children that are experiencing this violence at a young age can then be counseled and given therapy or other forms of mental rehabilitation to prevent development into adults who tend to act on impulse and violence.

As shown in many studies and research projects, exposure to violence can harm a child's emotional, psychological, and even physical development. Children exposed to violence are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, and suffer from depression or other mental health problems and consequently engage in criminal behavior as adults. Children exposed to violence also learn to resolve their own conflicts in violent manners, as they have become desensitized to violence and the pain of others. By creating and engaging in more discussion over this matter, we can help increase the amount of support and resources given to children growing up in violence. This can ultimately help reduce the number of violent crimes committed in society, specifically those perpetrated by adults who were exposed to violence as children.