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Role of School Health Instruction in Preventing Interpersonal Violence

NCJ Number
172639
Journal
Educational Psychology Review Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (March 1995) Pages: 69-91
Author(s)
R M Weiler; S M Dorman
Date Published
1995
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article examines the role of school health instruction in preventing interpersonal violence.
Abstract
The article provides an overview of comprehensive school health education; suggests instructional content for violence prevention education; explores options for administering violence prevention education; discusses theoretical frameworks supporting education strategies; provides criteria for selecting violence prevention curricula and materials; examines possible limitations and barriers to violence prevention education; and provides recommendations for implementing programs. Though classroom health instruction should not be expected to solve problems associated with youth violence, prevention education should be delivered within the context of comprehensive school health education. It is doubtful that any strategy will have any lasting effect without fundamental changes in the American culture, which positively condones and reinforces the use of violence. Youth must know the causes of risk behaviors and their motivations. Resolution will require a multicultural commitment to reject violence as an appropriate means to resolve conflict, fulfill needs, or obtain reparation for past or present injustices. Notes, tables, figure, references