Trends in Violence Among High School Students From 1991 to 2003

As the starting date for school looms closer, there may be more on your mind than whether your child has enough school supplies. Many parents, teachers, and school administrators worry about the safety of the school environment and the risk of violence among students. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, some violent behaviors among high school students have decreased in recent years.

Youth in grades 9 through 12 in the 50 states and the District of Columbia completed surveys about violence in the schools between 1991 and 2003. The students noted whether they'd carried weapons, physically fought with another student, or fought and needed treatment for injuries in the 30 days prior to the survey. Students were also asked whether they avoided going to school because of safety concerns in the month prior to the survey.

Researchers found several trends in violence among high school students:

• The percentage of students carrying weapons declined significantly during the course of the study - from 26% in 1991 to only 17% in 2003. The percentage of students carrying weapons onto school property declined from about 12% in 1993 to 6% in 2003.
• Physical fighting also declined significantly among students - from about 43% in 1991 to 33% in 2003. Sixteen percent of students were involved in fighting on school property in 1993, compared to only 13% in 2003.
• There were no real changes in the percentage of students who were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property between 1993 and 2003.
• The percentage of high school students who avoided going to school because of safety concerns increased between 1993 and 2003 - 4% avoided school because of safety issues in 1993, compared to 5% of students in 2003.

What This Means to You: Some types of violence - such as physical fighting and weapon carrying - may be declining among high school students, but many students are still affected by school violence and may avoid school because of it. If your child is involved in violence at school - either as a perpetrator or victim - his or her physical, mental, and emotional health may be at risk. Talk to your child's doctor, a mental health professional, or your child's teacher, school counselor, or principal about the problem and the best way to intervene.

Source: N. Brener, PhD; R. Lowry, MD; L. Barrios, DrPH; T. Simon, PhD; D. Eaton, PhD; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 30, 2004

Reviewed: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2004

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