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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 378 468 CG 025 863 AUTHOR Sigmon, Scott B. TITLE Youth Violence Syndrome (YVS) and American Society. PUB DATE 94 NOTE 13p. PUB TYPE Viewpoints (Opinion/Position Papers, Essays, etc.) (120) EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Adolescents; Antisocial Behavior; At Risk Persons; Elementary Secondary Education; Emotional Response; Quality of Life; Social Influences; *Social Problems; *Social Theories; *Violence; *Youth; *Youth Problems IDENTIFIERS United States ABSTRACT This paper names and describes a common, growing, and dangerous psychological syndrome: Youth Violence Syndrome (YVS). YVS is characterized by at least nine behaviors: (1) hopelessness; (2) a complete or great disregard for the laws followed by most Americans; (3) a short temper combined with a lack of empathy; (4) a desire for respect from others where such respect has not been earned; (5) an act or acts of violence against another person; (6) unemployment or employment in a minimum- or low-wage job; (7) an extremely high desire for expensive consumer goods; (8) acting-out to obtain expensive consumer goods illegally; and (9) a high school drop-out or a high school graduate with deficient reading and math skills. Also discussed are the causes of this syndrome, including the social conditions that make someone susceptible to YVS. Although YVS appears to be an essentially psychological syndrome, psychotherapeutic techniques to ameliorate its effects on an individual are yet to be determined. Social interventions directed toward improving the quality of an individual's life will probably be more effective in changing and preventing YVS than any psychotherapy. A multifaceted approach to the problem of youth violence is necessary, one that includes real educational as well as economic opportunity. (RJM) ,:*******'************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** 00 YOUTH VIOLENCE SYNDROME(YVS) AND AMERICAN SOCIETY 00 N eo) L,T4 01994 Dr. Scott B. Sigmon William Paterson College Wayne, N.J. for editorial communication: Dr. Scott B. Sigmon 678 Winchester Avenue Union, N.J. 07083 telephone: (908) 686-3966 BEST COPY AVAILABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION "PERMISSION 70 REPRODUCE THIS Office of Educational Research and Improvement MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION S. Src,1 CENTER (ERIC) oN C This documont has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it C. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction Quality Points of view or opinions stated in this docu TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES mont do not necessarily represent official 2 INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) OE RI position or policy BEST COPY AVAILABLE Youth Violence Syndrome (YVS) and American Society by Dr. Scott B. Sigmon Significant examples growing wave of youthful violence in of a America are becoming more commonplace. Three serious signposts have appeared: Rapidly escalating illicit drug usage accompanied by (1) crimes deadly in rural areas, the sort of which was found previously more built-up only (2) the so-called post-modern "inner areas; in city"--which prefer euphemistically less more and to call I politically incorrectly, ghetto--was a pleasant, tranquil never a place work, has become a literal war zone; live to or and lastly, ultimate middle-class living nightmare, desperate hopeless the (3) unemployed ghetto youths seriously breaking the law in the suburbs at geometrically Moreover, horrific drive-by shootings growing rate! a carjackings becoming with are typical, latter and becoming the occurrences frequent suburbs It is difficult to the well. as in overlook types these we have incidents; of paradoxically, yet, accustomed become them have learned with them. to and live to Consequently, is not present, but their urgency sense great of a Problems of any intensity move take action. and to frequerL.y us point where something must be done; and, eventually, reach kind, a problems comprehensive when are serious, even not urgent, if undertakings must be enacted. -1- 3 Before we can discuss solutions such problems, we need to to attempt to understand fully their causation, so that we increase our chances of rapidly ameliorating The usual reasons given are them. deplorable poverty, welfare dependency, substandard housing, homelessness, racism, inferior little education, economic opportunity, joblessness, limited chances for worthwhile careers, etc. In fact, life in some American cities today is so dangerous and stressful it actually is similar to being in a combat zone. It is my position that these unfortunate aspects of social are life in actuality not so much the cause of social problems, but merely their surface effects. The real root causes of social problems are a complex combination factors, of primary one economics. being a Simultaneously, the political structure (laws and powerful instruments of enforcement; the e.g., police, courts, even and the military) is designed to maintain the existing economic system; and aspects of the USA's economic system quite are problematic and can produce a dangerous "psychology of alienation" among the disadvantaged. What evidence is there such for bold statement? The U.S. federal government is a willing to actually accept, encourages, and "structural" unemployment! Even of six level percent unemployment, deemed a acceptable by the U.S. government, impacts negatively on millions and millions of Americans. Why is this acceptable? Because unemployment wages keeps and profits high in a capitalist-based economy such low as the USA's. -2- 4 institutions Social such as governments (as do living organisms) usually try survive and perpetuate themselves. to Governments use carrots and The U.S. government began using carrots in the sticks. 1930s merely not help also prevent to people, but its to a revolution. threat The governmental force is usually enough to of control citizens, its In the United not but situations. all in States of America there has never been a limit on accumulated wealth income most or for affluent segment the population. the of Contradistinctively, there is no guaranteed minimum income. However, since economic great depression the of the 1930s, there have been numerous government programs and regulations instituted to care for subsidize the less forutnate; and e.g., welfare, minimum wage, farm unemployment supports, insurance, Medicare social security, and Medicaid. Other supports, social including some type of universal health proposed. It is the "zeitgeist" of modern are being care, American society provide such for the needy, not only for aid to humanitarian preserve reasons but the Also, American to nation. resources (as well as influence) people of other are used help to nations. America prospect We find having the "permanent of in a underclass" (previously "lumpenproletariat" by earlier called the totally social critics) Because it is not in line abhorrent. Why? with American mores our regarding opportunity, fairness, and permanent having helping. Moreover, class impoverished runs a to the "American dream"/Horatio Alger myth which assumes that counter it rich with hard work and luck; anyone strike and, it is this can mobility I believe, which actually keeps upward class social myth, American society functioning as well as it does for most of the -3- population. violent The members youthful today's so-called of underclass suffer from an extreme form of existential hopelessness; they not do a part of mainstream American society at all, and feel they do not believe, consciously both and unconsciously, in the American dream. Some establishment folks may believe this happened virtually overnight, but it did not: It is the result of two or more disenfranchised generations of people, which is why the result is so entrenched. Social problems, which naturally influence individual's an psyche, many are ways more complex than difficulties in the in physical sciences, should we so instead to comprehend the begin bigger What question: holds a society together? Or, what produces cohesion? social more importantly, And, what keeps an equitable society functioning? appears that probably much, It most, of American society functions not be the longest well, would or it existing very large democracy. Today's America provides a relatively good to most of its citizens. life Nevertheless, a substantial part America's population--small of in percentage, but large in relative numbers--is forced live in squalor. Sociologists would say that to societies function which have effective positive and negative well sanctions; social essentially, these are rewards and punishments for certain behaviors. believe that growing percentage for of people living in a I America, the old social sanctions, both positive and negative, are no longer Why? effective. When someone alienated from one's is such an individual has no stake in that social system. society, As a result, the social sanctions which usually work to hold that -4- 6 individual's worst tendencies check no longer apply. In other in words, this sort person of would actually carry out deeds which others who are tied into the social system, except under the most extreme situations (such of passion), would never act crime as a Granted, we all think at times of following up behaviorally on upon. aggressive our thoughts, but we generally never do so. For example, when someone cuts us off while we are driving in traffic and proceeds curse would like to retaliate physically, though we to we at us, rarely do. Advertising is the part of the USA's economic system which is so potentially powerful it not only keeps the flow of insidious; and dollrs moving quickly, pathological but can desire for fuel a consumer Advertising sophisticated goods. incredibly so and is successful in the USA that it very greatly raises the level of today consumer We are constantly bombarded with ads telling us we desire. want and need all sorts products--even though we usually do not. The combination consumerism this powerful frenzy (created of by successful commercial which keeps the U.S. capitalist advertising, economy along with a significant proportion of the population going) without to buy these products yields an means financial the legal energized sometimes enraged We would hope that the and populace. disadvantaged economically would work legally or work harder to gain financial what they desire. But remember, those the means to buy most alienated are cut-off from the legal economic mainstream. the psychology of the adolescent and young now turn to Let us tremendously They influenced group adult. are and norms, by especially by their peers. Moreover, they have entered their -5- 7 physical peak feelings have and invulnerability. these of For people reasons, their teens and early twenties become the late in best soldiers. This is the normal psychological development for all humans. The confluence of the natural psychological development of youth, strong desire the to purchase or possess consumer goods without the financial means, alienation and produces frightening social a scenario. These addition factors, perverse peer to group in attitudes which encourage respect at all costs and the acceptable use add of ultraviolence. this manifested? guns, How up to It is results unnecessary killings the armed robberies after during in victims have already given up their possessions or money and pose no danger perpetrator, a drive-by shooting whereby the the to or in shooter merely perceived the target person had earlier insulted him. Cars stolen transportation with the justification that the are for thief would never to purchase it, so it is able O.K. to steal be worst But is when a group of alienated youth randomly of all it. kill strangers without any motivation, other than for fun! sort This serious youthful violence is often associated with of gangs and their sometimes organized or "gangstas") ("gang bangers" as the control and enforcement of illicit activities, criminal such may be seen as the only way to Selling drug drugs sales. illegal minimum However, random and deliberate more than earn the wage. is sometimes perpetrated by individuals, pairs, and aggression grave This violent behavior is not frivolous groups reasons. for small although it seems to border upon it. There is no real true anarchy, organized national ghetto youth political effort to bring down the -6- 8 government and replace it with anarchism or anything else; but there certainly disorder gross lawlessness in some quarters. and is The growing violence "youth syndrome" is closer to the "anomie" (YVS) phenomenon described early great the French sociologist Emile by Durkheim at the turn of the 20th Century. While studying suicide, he came to believe that anomie, a sense of estrangement from the values the larger social was its chief modern cause. of group, I do not believe youthful offenders who engage in violence against others are necessarily self-destructive, even though many probably not do believe they will live to be very old and some may be suicidal. usually Death produces thoughts of life. However, an increasing number violent adolescent/young adult deaths to one's peers makes. of individual believe probably an that be short, and end life will quickly plus bloodily. This yields amplified for the "live an forget present" about working hard and planning for the future mind- set--planning middle typical Thus, there is a of the class. is strengthened attitude in a group already normally may "devil care" prone engage in risk-taking and thrill-seeking behavior. to Combine this with a disregard for the personal well-being and property rights primarily others, of due to hopelessness, plus alienation, and your imagination yield glimpse of the horrific potential of such will a individuals. The is what I refer to as result, final of course, violence syndrome" Obviously, "youth YVS are those with (YVS). extremely and, it is because, among other things such as dangerous; strangth maturation, physical found new due are easily to they capable of committing homicide. -7- 9 There is apparently no real articulated counterhegemonic ideology among the so-called underclass with YVS, although one might develop. Continued oppression the form of, for all practical purposes, a in caste-like system, could do it--although a major act of government brutality would more likely Rap/hip-hop music artists trigger it. perhaps quasi-spokespersons are ghetto for youths and young poor although adults; most such especially artists, financially the successful have really been coopted themselves, and therefore ones, their "messages" must questioned. be same was true with the The earlier rock and folk artists, but the Viet Nam war back then was a politically unifying event, type which is now essentially the of absent. take strong To position declaring a previously unnamed a in psychological condition, youth violence syndrome (YVS), exists, one must also cite its criteria. Thus, YVS can be characterized by all most or of the following where present for a period of six months or Hopelessness longer: regarding ever attaining the "American (1) defined dream" relatively comfortable life economically in a as a reasonably neighborhood; safe alienation mainstream also, from America must (2) a complete or great disregard for the present; be current values of the majority of those living in American laws and society; short temper often combined with a lack of empathy a (3) for others; great desire f,,r respect from others where such a (4) respect has with a concomitant confusion between been earned, not what constitutes respect ordinary and civility; this real is typified maintains someone the attitude that it is O.K. to who by shoot someone who insulted or was superficially disrespectful; (5) -8- 10