The Developmental Impact of Community Violence

Community violence is increasingly being understood as a significant contributor to the establishment of criminal pathways for young people. This advancement in thinking about the interplay between context and behavior reflects the broadly ecological perspective grounding the analyses Bruyere and Garbarino offer in this chapter. After presenting that theoretical framework, the authors discuss the effect of risk accumulation, community violence, and other trauma on youth, some of whom go on to become involved with the juvenile justice system. The chapter then argues for ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, seeing it as potentially providing critically needed guidance for community development to support this population and reduce the need for juvenile incarceration.