Violence as a way to achieve power is a everyday phenomenon in our world. The history of violence in America ranges from the pre-colonial past into the present. However, nowadays America suffers from an extremely high rate of violence. People are very disturbed by the increasing violence in the USA, especially among young people. It is a serious problem that more and more juveniles resort to violent acts.
April 20, in 1999, in Littleton, Colorado: Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, open fire in suburban Columbine High School, killing a teacher and 14 students - including themselves – and injuring 28 others. In addition to some 30 home-made bombs found in and around the school, police report that there were two shotguns, a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, and a pistol used in the massacre.
This is just one example of an endless series of young adults running amuck. Violent behavior is often chosen as a response even though alternatives to violence are also a part of American culture. Violence is present everywhere, it ranges from the family core over the neighborhood, communities and schools to the media. Especially young people are influenced by the violence demonstrated in the media. Above all, television and films have a high violence potential. People get overwhelmed by violent acts. Kids and young adults may get out of touch with reality. Some of them are not able to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad any more. Experts believe that of the 25,000 murders committed in the USA every year, at least half are due to the influence and desensitizing effects of media violence.
Films like Natural Born Killers, written by Quentin Tarantino and Oliver Stone, that contain a high percentage of crimes, cause controversial discussions to emerge about how far the media should go. The film packs crimes in a love story and thus glorify violence. A young couple united by their love for each other and their common love of violence embark on a record-breaking, exceptionally gory killing spree that captivates the sensation-hungry tabloid media. Since its release, this film has become a cult classic. That reflects the peoples' willingness to consume such a highly aggressive and violent story. While some people are disgusted by the couple's unconscionable actions, others feel attracted by the brutality. That resulted in similar massacres by imitators who tried to find a way of feeling closer to their film heroes.
Statistics
The statistic by the United States Department of Justice shows that the years prior to 1994 held a dramatic increase in violent crimes in America`s young population between the ages of 14 and 24.
Arrest Rates for Violent Crimes by Youth Ages 18: 1965-1994 (Rate per 100,000)
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
——
——
——
——
——
——
——
——
——
——
Total
58
101
136
163
139
184
195
188
220
231
Race/Ethnicity
White
24
42
79
92
77
108
121
126
130
138
Non-white
259
436
431
492
400
488
486
534
568
584
Age
12-Oct
--
--
--
47
56
71
77
81
86
92
13-14
139
207
250
262
252
369
397
420
461
493
15
245
364
483
505
446
670
720
725
829
858
16
304
459
616
638
568
879
925
940
1031
1058
17
305
519
663
739
662
986
1041
1001
1115
1119
18
338
571
713
746
661
1023
1108
1092
1149
1167
Gender
Male
12-Oct
--
--
--
82
99
119
130
137
144
153
13-14
242
351
420
446
424
602
652
681
740
788
15
442
644
832
877
769
1137
1222
1210
1379
2414
16
564
838
1102
1130
999
1525
1604
1621
1764
1798
17
572
957
1201
1322
1180
1745
1841
1757
1944
1939
18
638
1065
1299
1350
1194
1840
1996
1944
2038
2042
Female
12-Oct
--
--
--
10
12
19
20
23
25
27
13-14
32
57
72
70
71
123
130
145
167
183
15
40
73
119
117
108
177
192
214
249
272
16
36
67
114
125
118
193
204
217
253
275
17
30
66
105
130
118
179
188
195
233
247
18
37
72
113
125
114
164
176
197
214
249
Note: Violent Crime is the sum of murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Rates refer to the number of arrests made per 100,000 inhabitants belonging to the prescribed age group.
Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Federal Bureau of Investigation: 1993.
Age-Specific Arrest Rates and Race-Specific Arrest Rates for Selected Offenses,
1965-1992. pp. 12-17 & p. 181. U.S. Department of Justice. Special Analysis of 1993 and 1994 data by Program Support Section, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, FBI.
