ASSIGNMENT THREE

(POWERPOINT PRESENTATION)
 TITLE PAGE
SUBJECT: Electronic Document Preparation and Management
CANDIADTE NAME: Jeremiah James
TOPIC: The prevalence of youth violence on the Guyanese society.
CENTRE NUMBER: 090054
CANDIDATE NUMBER:
CENTRE NAME: Tutorial High School
TERRITORY: Guyana
TEACHER: Ms. Carr
DATE SUBMITTED:
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines youth violence as violence which occurs among individuals (aged 10-29
years), who are not related or may not know each other. It includes a series of acts from bullying, physical fighting, to more
severe sexual and physical assault, to homicide. Presently, youth violence is increasing and quickly becoming one of the
major concerns in Guyana, and the world over.
There are a few factors, which contribute to hostile behavior in youths. These are:

 A home is supposed to be a safe place where children are free to experience their right of love, care and
protection. If they are usually faced with violent behaviour between their parents, it is highly likely that they
would assume all relationships are filled with violence. Thus, they will adapt an irrational personality and
indulge in unacceptable activities.

 Violence in the media – print and electronic -, can also contribute to destructive and violent attitudes
amongst the youth. Many experts in education and psychology believe that children act based on what they
visualize, which can easily be reacted due to constant exposure. Television and video games have greatly
influenced many children. When parents and teachers take the time to teach children respectful values and
norms, they will learn problem solving, coping skills and conflict resolution.
 Toxic environments for children, created by strictness, is another recognized cause for violence amongst
youth. Homes, schools or neighbourhoods can become hostile environments for children when their
relationships and experiences fail to nurture, protect and help them achieve their potential. Such
environments leave many children disaffected, frightful and vengeful. As a result, they are scared and
provoked into carrying knives or guns, joining gangs and committing criminal acts. It is no coincidence
that the vast majority of crime takes place in neighbourhoods suffering from huge social disadvantage.
Many neighbourhoods with high crime are already inclined to distrust law enforcement personnel, owing
to their experiences of institutional racism in our country.

The escalation of youth crime and violence in Guyana could be attributed to a number of social issues, such
as youth unemployment, poor education and high poverty levels among the cohort. Unfortunately, youth
violence continues to lead our young men, in particular, further down the path of criminality, which
ultimately lands them either in prison or in a casket, or sees them becoming homicide victims themselves.
A Study of Inmates in Guyana was conducted by Rodolfo Sarsfield and Marcelo Bergman in 2017 and
published in 2018. The study was undertaken in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank
and Center for Latin American Studies on Crime and Violence. It highlights the correlation between inmates’
childhood and life stories, and their resultant propensity to commit crime. According to the study, six out of
ten inmates were physically punished to some degree by their parents or guardians when they were children.
One out of four respondents reported that their father or mother’s partner used to beat their mothers. In four
out of ten cases, the inmates’ parents or adults with whom they lived as children, drank alcohol frequently.
One out of five inmates said they were gang members or belonged to criminal groups in the neighbourhood
where they lived as minors. Four out of ten inmates stated that they had a family member who had been sent
to prison. The normalisation of violence from a young age continues to affect these individuals, and
consequently the nature of the crimes they go on to commit. The study also highlights the correlation between
alcohol, substance abuse and crime.
The same study indicated that eight out of ten inmates had incomplete secondary education, or a lower
level of education.
According to the Guyana Labour Force Survey of July 2018, youth unemployment stood at 45.8% and
54.2% for men and women, respectively. And, with approximately 70% of the population being under 35
years old, one can only conclude that the high levels of youth unemployment has a marked effect on
unemployment statistics in general.
The trends, patterns and statistics indicate quite clearly that young men who grow up within violent
homes and who have been exposed to drugs and alcohol are more likely to commit crime. Coupled with
low levels of education and lack of suitable employment opportunities, it is almost guaranteed that they
will continue to become perpetrators of crime.
WHAT IS BEING DONE AND CAN BE TO CURB YOUTH VIOLENCE IN GUYANA?
There is no guarantee that violence can be stopped permanently, but prevention can make a difference. Parents
can start by being worthy role models, refraining from violent behaviour and making sure that they are
positively involved in their children’s’ life. They should maintain frequent discussions and discipline their
kids during ‘slip-ups’ as well as lending them a supportive shoulder in times of distress. Parents should make
it clear that aggressive behaviour is unacceptable and therefore, they should be actively involved in the school
systems to ensure that the children are safe and the environment is violent free.
Additionally, school authorities should also carry out their primary role of preventing violence amongst
students. A school should be a protected place where students can achieve knowledge. Thus, teachers and
other staff members should develop an appropriate attitude to students and maintain a comfortable
atmosphere. Schools should also invest in violence prevention programmes and daily assemblies where
students with problems are taught the morals, values and laws of society. They should also ensure a guidance
counsellor is appointed as students may have a necessary urge of speaking to someone about their struggles
and experiences. As a result, a child battling criminal attitudes and thoughts can be counselled, as well as a
victim of criminal act could be provided with help and advice.
Preventing violence does not involve the efforts of parents and schools alone, but also the duty of society
as a whole, by changing social and cultural conditions in efforts of reducing violence such as media
violence, reshaping social norms and restructuring educational systems. The problem cannot be solved
completely, however, when individuals lend a helping hand to reduce violence, the world will move
towards becoming a more peaceful and safe place.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://guyanachronicle.com/2020/05/23/youth-and-crime/ Editorial (17 November 2020)

https://today.caricom.org/2019/09/23/guyana-tackling-school-based-crimes-via-champions-for-change-cl
ubs/
By Volderine Hackett  September 25, 2019 (17 November 2020)