No child is immune to the effects of community violence.
Children are more likely to witness violence outside the home than to experience it, particularly in their immediate environment. Sadly, children know about two-thirds of the perpetrators.
Effects on Children
Children exposed to community violence develop many of the symptoms of children who have been physically or sexually abused (Brooks, p. 522).
They may experience
- difficulty sleeping, remembering, concentrating
- anxious attachment to parents
- aggressive play
- severe limitations of activities and exploration
- regressive behavior
- feelings of grief and loss when someone dies as a result of violence
- a sense of fatalism about their lives
- feeling as if they have no future
- denial and numbing
Lenore Terr (1990) describes the denial and numbing children often use to block out things that frighten them, such as community violence.
Some children survive under such adverse circumstances. They tend to
- be active individuals who seek to surmount obstacles
- have strong family and the stability it provides (Garbarino, 1992)
- have an internal sense that life can improve
- influence what happens to them and make life better in the future (Wyman, 1993)
- be more successful later on
Coping Resources
Factors that influence how children cope with violence are
- intelligence
- self-confidence
- self-esteem
- sociability
- an easygoing attitude
- an affectionate nature
Such children demand little, yet relate positively to others and consequently tend to receive support. They are what we often refer to as “resilient” children.
Environmental factors that influence how children cope with violence are
- the presence of at least one stable emotional relationship with a caregiver who serves as a healthy model for coping
- social relationships outside the family with relatives and family friends
- community support
- school and supportive social groups as a major refuge
- therapy groups and resources
Reference:
Brooks, Jane. B. (2008). The process of parenting, 7th edition. Boston, MA. McGraw-Hill.