Currently, there are many stories in the news about teenagers who have violently acted out against either a peer or an adult. Teens are beating up fellow students, threatening to kill teachers, and some are committing suicide.

"We can't look at these situations as isolated and mere anecdotal examples of dysfunctional kids. After all, suicide is still among the leading causes of teenage deaths. And too many youths resort to resolving their beefs by trying to snuff somebody out or bust them up."

Stan Simpson, a columnist for The Hartford Courant, believes these troubled kids all have a couple of things in common: an unstable home and the feeling that no one understands them or cares. He urges adults to take time to remind the young people in their lives how valuable they are and how much they are loved and appreciated. Source: The Hartford Courant

Labels: communication, self-esteem, violence