Teens learn violent behaviors from their family and peers, as well as observe it in their neighborhoods and in the community at large. As a parent, you are in a position to be your child's best role model. To assure that you model behavior that is worthy of emulation requires time, effort, and commitment.

Violence is involved in about 75 percent of the deaths of those aged 15 to 24. The leading cause of adolescent deaths is accidents, most of which are car accidents; many of these involve the use of drugs and alcohol. The second and third leading causes of death for males aged 15 to 19 are suicide and homicide, which are the third and fourth leading causes of death for females of the same age group. Homicide is the third leading cause of death for teens aged 10 to 14 and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in this age group.

A recent study might provide the first conclusive proof that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between children exposed to violence and their own violent tendencies.

Taking factors like sex, family status, race, and economic position into account, researchers tried to gauge the propensity of some teens towards violence. While all of these factors contributed to violence, researchers found that children exposed to gun violence were two times more likely to become perpetrators of violence.

Violence can take many forms: the nonphysical (verbal harassment, verbal intimidation, blocking one's access to escape) and the physical (hitting, choking, biting, sexual abuse, use of a weapon, murder, suicide). It may involve teenagers as victims or perpetrators as well as their families, peers, school officials, strangers, or others. It may be part of dating violence or gang violence. The most at risk are homeless teens, particularly those from minority backgrounds.

"Violence can be socially transmitted from person to person in a community through exposure." Both the adolescents and their primary caregiver -- usually their mother -- provided information for the initial assessment.

Many theories?genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological?have been proposed over time. Clinicians and researchers generally agree that violence in humans is the result of a variety of factors, including exposure to violence in the home and exposure to media violence. Many teens are embarrassed easily and are susceptible to involvement in fights as acts of retaliation. This can cause considerable harm to themselves and others.

Violent behavior may reflect a need of some teens to experiment and try new things. The result may be high-risk behavior, such as drug experimentation, fast or dangerous driving, and/or criminal behavior. Additionally, if the teenager has observed violence their home, school or work environment, they are more likely to commit it.

Most importantly, efforts should be directed at dramatically decreasing the exposure of children and adolescents to violence in the home, community, and through the media.

Parenting is not for cowards. The most committed parents can and will make mistakes, but information is power. You must arm yourself with good information and use that information to sharpen your parenting skills.

Many parents know they have a troubled teen on there hands, as these warning signs will help tell. The question many parents have is "What do I do!" or "what are my options? If you have any suggestions for how to improve this site or any questions pertaining to these sites, feel free to go:

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.com/

http://www.troubledteensguide.com/

http://www.troubledteenministries.com

They can be of great help. They are user-friendly guide for professionals who supervise, manage, teach, or treat teenagers who get into trouble.