Why so much gun violence by kids?

[gijoep]

Just curious on what some of the members of this forum think about the increase in gun violence by kids in the last 15 years? When I was 12, I was squirrel hunting with my buddy on the weekends and knew how to handle a gun. I have my own thoughts......is it really a lack of parental teaching? Or video games? Or something else?

[Swampman]

First - lack of parenting by parents who know nothing about guns.

Second - desensitization of the harm inflicted by firearms, because of video games.

Third - lack of supervision by parents (probably goes along with lack of parenting).

All in all, most people in society today shouldn't be allowed to have kids.

[tommy610]

The "kids" that are the subject of this thread are not normal kids, IMO. They have a lot of things wrong with their life - their family, their schooling, their attitude, their sense of responsibility, their values. This is not a gun problem.

[widefat]

I'm not sure it is related, but I grieve over what we are doing to boys. Boys are not allowed to express themselves through action or behavior in the way they boys are genetically wired. IT IS NORMAL for a boy to be rough, tumble, play hard, get into mild mischief, and even close to bedlam at times.
Our boys are being beaten down by a bunch of old ladies (with both kinds of plumbing) that punish them for being male.

For example, bullies - I think it is devastating to a young man to be told he CANT fight back. Dont defend yourself! Dont fight back! Run and tell a teacher so they can protect you! I man is wired to defend himself and his tribe. You take that away, and top of it, force him to be a coward - sooner or later, it will manifest itself in a harmful way. Sometimes more harmful than others.

I am glad my son is grown and stands tall - but I worry about my eventual grandsons, and the warped males that my daughters and grandaughters may meet.

[gijoep]

Thanks for the responses so far. Itwould be interesting to see some of the stats and what/if any of the common factors were. Interesting enough too is the fact that I thought f myself pretty responsible with my .410 as a kid and had it over my bed on a gun rack, but my parents didn't own any guns or teach me anything about guns or go hunting with me. My dad was a Vietnam Vet and had a rough experience (as many of them did) and would not touch a gun after that. Luckily, my grandfather took me when he could and those memories were some f my fondest.

[thekinetic]

We cannot blame video games because I've played them since I was young and loved the violent ones the best yet I am not a violent man, and I think of those I hurt or anger or make afraid. It is for lack of guidence that these kids do harm.

But yes it is also a lack of an outlet and the mental neutering that society has tried to impose upon men and boys.

[FiremanBob]

I put the blame entirely on the government school system and the mass media. We went to the HEAV (Homeschool Education Association of Virginia) convention in Richmond today. You never saw a more mature, well-mannered, confident and self-aware group of children anywhere.

The reason I don't blame today's parents first is that they were ruined by the two villains mentioned above before they had this generation of kids. The problem has been severe, and increasingly so, since the 1980s. Is it a coincidence that this matches the first incidents of school mass murders? I think not.

[Remek]

I think Widefat has it right.

When I grew up, we had so much more freedom, and yes, we got into all sorts of bad stuff. We were allowed to be ourselves. Parents these days have such an iron grip on the kids, and force them to focus on organized activities constantly.

The constant forced focus on what the parents want, lack of down time, complete supervision. Its 1984 for the kids these days. No wonder they flip out so often.

[Remek]

In fact, I am surprised it does not happen more often.

[wally626]

Before talking about the increase in gun violence among kids, first you must show there has been an increase. I do not know one way or another on the this issue, but for many of the gun violence categories highlighted as a crisis by the press there has actually been decreases in recent years.

[graybeard321]

Family values, When I was a child my mother did not have to work she stayed home and raised us. She taught us right from wrong. It did not hurt that we knew if we screwed up dad would beat our ass when he got home from work. Now days both parents work and if you think about touching your child in any form of discipline you will go to jail. So we have to depend on our school teachers and government to train our children. Obama as a role model for our children, do we really have to wonder why kids are so screwed up.

[Palladin]

Widefat pegged it.

My Dad's shop teacher kept boxing gloves hanging in the corner for the boys to settle their differences. All problems like that were handled right then, right there. (this was in the '40s and '50s)

[DiscipleofJMB]

I grew up in Montgomery County, MD where they've had "zero tolerance" for guns and violence in school for at least 15 years. I was personally singled out for liking the military and firearms back then and ostracized. Sure it hurt my social development, but I was a good kid. Never got in trouble with fighting or drugs, became an Eagle Scout, joined the Army and eventually became a gunsmith. I'm glad I never listened to people that tried to discourage me from getting into firearms... it seriously took me almost 10 years of trying different career paths and "normal, socially acceptable" jobs before I was able to do what I wanted to all along.

I always wonder if I had grown up in the country, would I be further along in my career? I know for sure I'd have more shooting experience and maybe someone would have taken me hunting.

I'm glad I was able to shrug off the liberal mindset and become my own person. It eventually brought me to VA, I just couldn't tolerate living in the liberal pansy-ass nanny state known as Maryland any longer. I don't have kids, don't know if I will. But if I do, I will do everything I can to keep them out of public schools. If I can't, I'll be watching the teachers and administrators like a hawk. I know the schools are trying to shape and mold the kids how THEY want them to turn out, parents' choices and values be damned.



Si vis pacem para bellum

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[VACoastie]

Hmmm, my raising.

Father - Military, was away a lot, firm but fair in punishment. He had a zero tolerance policy. It was "Don't talk back." I violated it once and received an open hand slap across the face followed by him jumping on me daring to say again (I like to reference Samuel L Jackson's 'SAY WHAT AGAIN!!' line haha). Not a devout Christian but still a God fearing man. Gave me a 2,000 sqft house, 20 acres of yard, and life lessons while growing up as a kid. Never have me anything, helped out if I needed it, but taught me I had to work for my stuff.

Mother - Secretary, filled in for dad when he was away and took me to my baseball games, recitals and such. Laid a hand on me plenty of times. Beat my ass black and blue in front of the congregation once too for running in church. Always had words of advice and was also firm but fair with punishments. Encouraged me to work and do what I wanted.

Results:
Teenage Years - actively played sports. Baseball, Track & Field, Golf. Lover of music. Played Saxaphone, Piano, & Guitar (still do all but Saxaphone to this day). Didn't go to Church, but still believe Him and kept my morals about me. Was in JROTC for 5 years. Dabbled with Pot a bit - didn't quite like it honestly. Drank a ton after age 15. My friends dad always ensured I gave him the keys from my car. At age 14 I had a job. Washed the hell out of dishes at a local restaurant. Age 16 I had 2 jobs. First at Ace Hardware. Put together crap and hauled heavy stuff. After working there from 4-6 on school days I went to my bosses lumber yard and cut trees and turned it into lumber from 6:30 to midnight almost. That's a 16 hour workday including going to school at age 16... Played lots of violent video games and shot with my dad when he was around. Enjoyed hanging out in the woods and exploring. Wrecked havoc with my friends on my off time.

Now - Age 25. Married with a step daughter. Don't drink much, and when I do it's responsibly. Have a career and about to close on my first home in Suffolk. Still enjoy my firearms and music. Thinking of going to the local Freemason lodge and petition to join.

TL;DR
I got my ass beat, played violent games, smoke, drank, shot guns, worked for what I wanted for at a young age. Result: A damn good mentally healthy dude that doesn't go on a rampage. It's the environment that you're raised in and how you're raised.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[DiscipleofJMB]

Well said Coastie. I got beat a couple times (extension cords and hot wheels tracks STING), but my mom was a master at PSYOPS. Never went to church but the scouts taught me how to be a good, hard working, honest man.

I lived through some of the "pussification" of the American male... and maybe it did affect me in the way I treat women and things like that. I love guns though, but I'm not a psycho killer.

I'm just glad I can experience a SOMEWHAT free life, but I see it slipping away FAST unless we do something about it. The surveillance we're under and the way liberals want the kids raised is appalling.



Si vis pacem para bellum

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[dusterdude]

It pains me to say it but i feel sorry for the american male,thank god i was raised when being a man was acceptable

[meadmkr]

Part of it is that it existed but not much press/media coverage of it.
Today the news cycle is much faster than when I was a kid some 30+ years ago. You didn't see it on 100+ channels of TV, the internet or Twitter/IM....

[gunderwood]

Before talking about the increase in gun violence among kids, first you must show there has been an increase. I do not know one way or another on the this issue, but for many of the gun violence categories highlighted as a crisis by the press there has actually been decreases in recent years.

+1

In general violence has been going down, but people don't believe it because each incident is more sensationalized than ever. When you say there has been in increase in violence, what does that mean. Accidents? School mass shootings? Gang killings? You might be surprised how some organizations compile stats. Where did you get the premise that there has been an increase?

[Kreutz]

First gun I ever fired was an M-16 at basic training.

I grew up on Long Island NY, my father only shot a gun once (by accident-his friend handed him a .22 rifle, it went off and almost shot the friends mother downstairs), so that combined with my fathers shall we say Jewy demeanor meant no guns in my household.

My mother had a generally negative view about guns and hates mine. I do take my father shooting when he comes down and he does enjoy it but he likes to pick fights with me over gun control to this day.

Played alot of hyper violent games, watched alot of hyper violent movies. Never shot anyone, have no desire to shoot anyone.

Methinks these happen out of a desire for fame and to share some misery.