8.5 Supportive Environment for Youth and Children

Early intervention, constructive engagement, and strong and supportive environments for children and youth can prevent them from engaging in violent or criminal behavior and ensure that they live healthy, productive and fulfilling lives.

On the other hand, peer pressure, the need for attention or respect, a sense of low self-esteem, early childhood abuse or neglect, witnessing violence at home, in the community or in the media, and easy access to weapons are the major factors that contribute to violent behavior among youth (Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2001). Understanding young people’s attitudes, support systems, activities, and adult mentor relationships are all important to reducing youth crime and violence.