What Parents of Troubled Teens Can Learn From the Crime-Ridden Chicago Streets

Violence and other crimes are problems that are common in troubled teens. These issues tend to be much worse in urban areas, but a new study conducted in Chicago has brought about interesting and important results on the effects of counseling on teenagers with violent tendencies. The Chicago Crime Lab created a program for troubled teens who were actively engaged in negative behaviors (i.e., had an arrest record or were on the verge of failing high school) called the Becoming A Man program. This was a program wherein troubled teens took part in pro-social behaviors, sports activities, counseling, and other positive activities. Skills like impulse control and self regulation were taught. Violent crimes amongst these students dropped 44 percent. Arrests for other crimes decreased as well. Lava Heights Academy can provide this sort of help to troubled teens. .

Violence and Troubled Teens

What can parents learn from the results gleaned from the Becoming A Man program? The fact that this program showed these students that someone cared about their success in life is a major incentive for positive behavior. Troubled teens taking part in violent and other crimes tend to do so because they don't know any better or they are trying to fit in. Most students who take part in gang violence get involved with gangs in the first place as a way to fit in. Counseling and teaching students that violence only leads to more violence and negativity actually works. 

In a place like Chicago where the odds are almost entirely stacked against the success of troubled teens, programs like the Becoming A Man program make a real difference. Pay attention to your student and their activities. Many troubled teens feel alone and lost, and violence may be the only outlet they know.

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In Chicago, Proof Positive That Mentoring Decreases Youth Violence