When Youth Feel Unsafe: Brief Insights on the Cognitive and Academic Effects of Exposure to Violence
Recent acts of violence in America's schools are the cause of nationwide concern. Yet even in the absence of school shootings, many young people do not feel safe in their schools and communities or are exposed to violence directly or indirectly.
Although youth are, on average, feeling safer and are being exposed to less violence, data suggest that overall reductions are not evenly distributed across the country. Many cities are experiencing rising rates of violent crime. The trends in these cities make clear that violence and fear of violence remain an everyday reality for too many young people.
The safety of America's young people is essential given what we know about the negative impact of feeling unsafe and being exposed to violence have on young people's development and ability to succeed in school.
This Point of View brief from the Center for Promise provides research insights on a particularly timely topic - violence in America's schools - that is impacting young people in America. Learn more about this topic by reading the Center’s Barriers to Success and Barriers to Wellness reports.