Fact Sheet
At A Glance: Myths vs.
Facts
The Surgeon General's report challenges a number of false notions and
misinterpretations about youth violence and debunks myths about violence
and violent youth.
Myth: The epidemic of violent behavior that marked the early
1990s is over, and young people - as well as the rest of society - are
much safer today.
Fact: Although such key indicators of violence as arrest and victimization
data clearly show significant reductions in violence since the peak of the
epidemic in 1993, an equally important indicator warns against concluding
that the problem is solved. Self-reports by youths reveal that involvement
in some violent behaviors remains at 1993 levels.
Myth: Most future offenders can be identified in early childhood.
Fact: Exhibiting uncontrolled behavior or being diagnosed with a conduct
disorder as a young child does not predetermine violence in adolescence. A
majority of young people who become violent during their adolescent years
were not highly aggressive or "out of control" in early
childhood, and the majority of children with mental and behavioral
disorders do not mature into violence.
Myth: Child abuse and neglect inevitably lead to violent behavior
later in life.
Fact: Physical abuse and neglect are relatively weak predictors of
violence. Most children who are abused or neglected will not become
violent offenders during adolescence.
Myth: African American and Hispanic youths are more likely to
become involved in violence than other racial or ethnic groups.
Fact: While there are racial and ethnic differences in homicide arrest
rates, data from self-reports indicate that race and ethnicity have little
bearing on the overall proportion of nonfatal violent behavior. There are
also differences in the timing and continuity of violence over the life
course, which account in part for the overrepresentation of these groups
in U.S. jails and prisons.
Myth: A new, violent breed of young "super-predators"
threatens the United States.
Fact: There is no evidence that young people involved in violence during
the peak years of the early 1990s were more frequent or more vicious
offenders than youths in earlier years. There is no scientific evidence to
document the claim of increased seriousness or callousness.
Myth: Getting tough with juvenile offenders by trying them in
adult criminal courts reduces the likelihood that they will commit more
crimes.
Fact: Youths transferred to adult criminal court have significantly higher
rates of re-offending and a greater likelihood of committing subsequent
felonies than youths who remain in the juvenile justice system. They are
also more likely to be victimized, physically and sexually.
Myth: Nothing works with respect to treating or preventing
violent behavior.
Fact: A number of prevention and intervention programs that meet very high
scientific standards of effectiveness have been identified.
Myth: In the 1990s, school violence affected mostly white
students or students who attended suburban or rural schools.
Fact: African-American and Hispanic males attending large inner-city
schools that serve very poor neighborhoods faced - and still face - the
greatest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of a violent act at
school. This is true despite the recent series of multiple shootings in
suburban, middle-class white schools.
Myth: Weapons-related injuries in schools have increased
dramatically in the last five years.
Fact: Weapons-related injuries have not changed significantly in the past
20 years. Overall, schools - in comparison to other environments,
including neighborhoods and homes - are relatively safe places for young
people.
Myth: Most violent youths will end up being arrested for a
violent crime.
Fact: Most youths involved in violent behavior will never be arrested for
a violent crime
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