Youth violence in schools – why the increase?

Increased youth violence in schools is likely to be associated with youth anger, and factors contributing to youth anger are often ignored, according to recent research by Presbyterian Support Upper South Island (PSUSI).

The research findings, outlined in A Fistful of Tears – Exploring Youth Anger, shows that while young people use a variety of strategies when they feel angry, violence without anger is extremely rare.

“Young people overwhelmingly said they resorted to violence because they felt really angry – not just a little bit, but really angry,” says the researcher, Sue Milligan.

Most were not angry about ‘everything’ but had difficulties in particular situations or relating to particular people.

“Despite this, the ‘context’ of youth anger is often ignored, and the young person’s behaviour tends to be the sole focus, or ‘the problem’.

“Consequently, many young people felt unheard. The difficulties they faced remained unresolved, so the anger and violence recurred,” Ms Milligan says.

Young people described many instances of adults ignoring youth anger or reacting to it by getting angry themselves.

Very few young people described others acting in positive ways when feeling angry, and a number of young people associated anger with violence, through what they’d seen at home or in the media.

“When a young person acts violently, it provides an opportunity to explore the underlying feelings and issues,” Ms Milligan says.

The research suggests young people who felt angry also felt sad, disappointed or let down. This was often because they had been verbally or physically abused, or felt betrayed by someone they trusted.

They might be experiencing difficulties in doing their schoolwork or getting on with someone. Young people said it helped a lot when they had someone to talk to (adult, friend, teacher or worker) who listened.

“It is vital that we hear and respond to youth anger by seeking solutions that will work for young people. It makes sense that listening to young people can help us understand what difficulties they’re facing, which can be the first step to framing up solutions. And young people themselves might have some great ideas about what could help.”

Parents and professionals who took part in the research emphasised the importance of young people having access to support. Intensive support is needed for young people with learning difficulties.

“Relationships are crucial to positive youth development. Young people may not care how much you know until they know how much you care,” Ms Milligan says.

The research shows that young people had fewer issues relating with others who they felt genuinely cared about them, and when difficulties did occur, they were generally managed without resorting to violence.

As one deputy principal said, youth anger problems can be reduced by “showing you care, lots of times and lots of ways”. When adults respond to youth violence and disengagement by hearing the youth anger, they encourage young people to engage with the community in constructive ways.