JACKSON STUDENTS REFLECT ON VIOLENCE

JACKSON -- In Pearl, Miss., on Oct. 1, 1997, Luke Woodham went on a rampage through school and town killing his mother and two peers. Time magazine quoted Luke on his thoughts that supported his actions: "The world has wronged me, and I couldn't take it no more." On March 24, 1998, at Jonesboro, Ark., two boys pulled a fire alarm and shot from nearby woods into the escaping crowd of children and teachers. They wounded 10 and killed four girls and a teacher. On April 20, 1999, two high school students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., stormed through their school with an arsenal of weapons and bombs resulting in 12 casualties and 23 wounded.

Several changes over the past few years have impacted our way of thinking on this matter. When a parent was asked whether she thought Jackson schools are adequately prepared if a threatening incident occurred, she replied, "No, I have not been informed of such a plan. Jackson is a rural town with few resources in man and dollars." Parents and teachers are always considering the possibility that a student might come into school carrying a shotgun. Dr. Howard Jones, the superintendent of the Jackson School District, states, "We have a violence problem in our society. School is a microcosm of society. It reflects our world." Though the severity differs from school to school, it is safe to admit that school violence is a problem that needs to be dealt with.

There are many possible causes for the recent rash of violence in high schools across America. Some of these changes may include the violence portrayed in much of today's popular culture, a rise in cliques among high school students or lack of attention shown by parents or teachers of teens.

The violence portrayed in today's pop culture is evident in such movies as "Desperado," "Basketball Diaries" and "The Matrix." In all three of these movies, the main character is a gunslinging protagonist who murders a bunch of people, and for this he is idolized. In many games such as Goldeneye, Doom and Quake, the object is to kill to be successful. Although this is highly touted, we don't believe it's the major cause.

Another cause would be an obvious existence of cliques in high schools. These social groups set themselves apart based on social status, intelligence level or athletic ability. Not only do the members of the cliques hang out together, but sometimes they make fun of people who are different or believe differently from them. Larry Brendtro, an Augustana University professor, was quoted in Time magazine as saying, "Kids who feel powerless and rejected are capable of doing horrible things."

According to assistant principal Clay Vangilder of Jackson High School, "I think it starts at home. Everyone wants to point blame at administrators, but it starts when they are young." Parents today are often too busy to show the amount of love and attention required for raising good, respectful, loving teen-agers. Teens need just as much attention at toddlers do, only their problems are on a different scale. They face rejection, depression and overall levels of stress. They need some kind of stability to come home to. When that's not there, they are forced to make people pay attention to them in other ways.

In today's society, there are many possible causes related to school violence. There is disagreement when it comes down to what or whose fault it is. Despite these differences, solutions have been proposed to solve the problem.

Prayer in schools in a possible solution. Many people say that prayer in schools is a good idea and helps students work and feel better during the school day. Van Brooks, a JHS student, doesn't think so. He says, "Having prayer groups at schools sometimes pushes religious beliefs onto others." Even though the religious relationship with schools is somewhat subjective, it might help to educate students about prayer to give them religious insight into life.

"Some schools have started groups of dedicated counselors to patrol the campus and look for any students showing signs of a violent nature," reports Mona Charen in her syndicated column in the Southeast Missourian. This could be an effective solution, because the counselors could single out the students capable of violence early on.

Preventing child abuse is another possible solution. Saving an innocent child from the pain and mental anguish that comes with child abuse could make a difference in a child's life. When abused children get older, they can lash out violently at others when painful memories resurface for no apparent reason.

From all the possible answers to this nationwide problem, we believe the primary solution lies mainly in the way adults influence the teens' lives. Many of these violent acts are cries for attention from their parents, teachers, peers and other relatives. Teen-agers seek out role models from their immediate surroundings like their parents and teachers. When none can be found, they continue their search into popular culture. They see fads of today: different clothing, movies, songs, games and other types of inviting entertainment. Often, many of these fads are linked to violence or depressing undertones and separate students from one another based on their likes and looks. The teens look up to role models who have an icon of being a gunslinger who is usually the hero and begins to solve problems the way they do. The most severe cases involve the use of guns and weaponry.

An additional solution involves parents being involved with their children's lives and teachers reaching out to their students. When a child comes home, take time to visit without becoming too nosy. If the child really seems troubled, don't hesitate to become involved with him and his problems. Teachers could help by establishing a better relationship with their students and their parents. If the teacher notices a change in a student's behavior, he needs to talk to the student and inform the parents of the change in behavior. If parents and teachers help the teens feel accepted, it will help the teen learn that their lives do matter to people and that people care about them.

Jonathan Reno, Jason Brown and Aharon Reed are students at Jackson High School.