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AAP News Vol. 13 No. 11 November 1997, p. 28 © 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics
1 Division of Violence Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlanta, Ga.
In his article entitled "Expert debunks top 10 myths about teens" (July 1997), Mr. Mike A. Males makes several points worthy of consideration, particularly his desire to redirect policy and racism. Additional resources and interagency collaboration are needed to determine how child abuse and domestic violence, whether witnessed or directly experienced, influence youth violence. Mr. Males makes a valid point regarding the dilemma of exaggerating the problem of youth violence in order to garner media and public attention. This process can only stigmatize young people and might have a negative effect on their integration into the community. And, as Mr. Males notes, exaggerating youth violence may remove the spotlight from adults and the influence their violent behavior has on adolescents.
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