School violence
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School
violence has become a major concern in America, even
though it has been diminishing since the last "record"
of 1992-93 when 43 students were killed while in school.
During the academic year 1999-2000, "only" nine of them
have been shot dead, according to the Department of
Justice. It seems that the "zero tolerance" policy has
born some fruit, after all. But the roots of the problem
may lay elsewhere.
Poverty and social inequality, or the influence of violence
on TV and movies, are among the many causes of such
a violence at school. American children are being influenced
by their environment, and the American society is very
violent: anybody can purchase a gun, which is unthinkable
in Europe where gun control is stricter. You are ten
times more likely to be murdered in America than in
Europe.
An educational effort should be made to teach children
how precious life is. President Bush said the best prevention
for school violence was to teach children right from
wrong. But he does not seem prepared to enforce laws
on gun control.
The main cause of crime at school finds the support
of powerful pro-gun lobbies and a Congress generally
hostile to gun control legislation.
In
the same way as teachers and head teachers, the police
and the FBI mobilize to fight against the problem of
school violence (a problem which is considered as a
real contemporary plague). For that purpose, a "guide"
of about fifty pages was published with the aim of helping
all those concerned to measure the possible risks of
violence such as superiority feelings or signs of depression.
Besides, numerous measures were implemented, in the
whole country aiming at strengthening the present safety
devices in schools( metal detectors, badges, security
video-system ), in accordance with the policy of "tolerance
zero ".
Nevertheless,
many people are against these measures and the American
Bar Association qualify this policy " as inequitable
and unsuitable ", in a report on February 19, 2001.
Finally, there is at the present time a debate around
the legislation on gun control. Indeed, the new President
of the United States never refered to a single change
in this field, it seems difficult today to hope for
a limitation concerning firearms' delivery.
Senator Charles Schumer (New York Department) simply
suggested suggested to set up a code of responsibility
intended for the weapon owners.
But
nothing was really done to forbid the firearms'access
to the teenagers and according to the administration,
it is not a question of legislating but of strengthening
the already existing laws.
And according to George W.Bush, the best prevention,
is to teach children to make the difference between
right and wrong. Current events however tend to proove
insufficient the measure.
