1. Bell Ringer Open your student workbook and turn to page 53.
Under the heading Journal Entry, write a few sentences explaining what you feel is the most serious consequence of violence for targets, for perpetrators and for bystanders and explain why.

2. Unit 2: Violence & Injury Prevention
Lesson 2 – Factors That Contribute to Violence

3. Health Behavior Outcomes
Avoid situations where violence is likely to occur.
Avoid associating with others who are involved in or who encourage violence or criminal activity.

4. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
Analyze factors that contribute to violence, including attitudes, behaviors, and things in the environment.

5. The effects of violence are even more real when it happens to you or to those you care about…
Understanding more about how violence happens can help motivate people take the steps to prevent or stop it as much as possible.

6. Summary
Violence is more likely to happen when people view another person or group as a threat, or don’t respect others through their words or actions.
Not knowing how to find the resources needed to achieve the future you want for yourself, or the skills to communicate to others what you want and need, deal with stress or resolve conflicts are all things that can push people towards violent behaviors.

7. Which of these factors do you think most often contribute to violence that happens in a school setting?

8. Summary
Violence can have serious consequences when it happens at school.
This is why schools have rules and policies intended to help prevent or stop violence and respond to it in the safest way possible when it happens.

9. How does using alcohol or other drugs affect a person’s choices and actions?
How can the use of alcohol or other drugs contribute to violence?

10. Summary
Using alcohol and other drugs can impair judgement and lower inhibitions.
Inhibitions are an inner check on actions or expression, or restraint; concern with the consequences of one’s behavior.
Some people become more passive or withdrawn when they drink alcohol.

11. How can the presence of guns or other weapons contribute to violence and the likelihood of people being injured?

12. Summary
Most people who own guns for hunting or other shooting sports are trained in the use of firearms, take proper precautions, and keep their guns and other weapons locked up when not in use.
Sometimes having access to a gun or weapon can make a person act more recklessly.

13. Why do you think some young people join gangs?

14. Summary
Teens may join gangs as a way to belong, make money, take risks, or receive protection from bullying or other harassment.
Gang members often participate in regular teen activities such as hanging out and playing games or sports.

15. How does gang involvement contribute to violence?

16. Summary
Use of alcohol and other drugs, rivalries with other gangs, and drug selling or other criminal activity are common among gangs, and all of these things increase the risk of violence.
Violence is also sometimes used to maintain discipline and loyalty within the gang and to control gang members.

17. Does gang violence affect only people who are in the gangs?
Why or why not?

18. Summary
Gang violence directed at other gangs often results in collateral damage.
Collateral damage is damage caused when uninvolved people are frightened, injured or killed by violent activities, or when family members or friends of those committing violent acts are threatened or harmed.

19. On a sheet of paper answer the following question:
Can young people truly make a difference in preventing violence problems? Why or why not?