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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Children are fundamentally ________________.

2. Recidivists are those who ________________________.

3. Positive parenting practices stimulate _____________________.

4. What is the tipping point for a peer group to flip from positive to negative?

5. Youth exposed to violence at home and in society are more apt to develop this, according to the fifth rule of violent boys' lives.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Garbarino's belief about what is involved in a complete rehabilitation program for violent boys?

2. Why is the measure of wealth to a child difficult?

3. What is the debate on the role of government and public institutions in child development?

4. Explain Garbarino's point about moral and legal legitimacy for non-violent adults, or how we define immoral killing.

5. What does Garbarino point out in his ten facts of violent life in terms of the temperament of violent youth?

6. Explain social toxicity, and be sure to include what it is, what it consists of, and why it is important to Garbarino.

7. What is social support, as a foundation for resilience, and what are the two dimensions of social support?

8. What are the four breakdowns of childhood protection that Garbarino discusses in the book?

9. What are depersonalization and desensitization, and how do they encourage violence?

10. What is the zone of proximal development?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the book, Garbarino argues that in order for his political agenda to succeed, public institutions must be used, and that the Declaration of Independence defines the position of the government within the role of child development. Why does he believe this document is key to defining the contract between government and society? What does he say about equal rights, human rights, and public happiness? What does he say the document says about why the government exists? How has history altered this initial contract to make it fit for all people? Do you agree with Garbarino about the relationship between government and society? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Morality is a large topic in the novel, both in terms of how most of us see murder, and how those who commit violent crimes see murder. Choose one of the following topics, and discuss it in detail.

1. What is moral justification? Why do "normal" individuals sometimes morally justify homicide? What types of murder are included? Why is this different from the murders that violent youth commit?

2. What is a moral circle? How does the moral circle differ between most in society and the violent youth? How does the moral circle contribute to violent behaviors?

3. What is perceived injustice? How does perceived injustice affect the moral code of violent youth? Why does perceived injustice sometimes equate to shame and intolerable states of being?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the "boot camp" method of juvenile administration with the Monastery method Garbarino supports. Be sure to discuss what is included in each, underlying principles, and basic concepts, as well as explaining why Garbarino favors the monastery method, and why he believes it is so beneficial for violent youths.

(see the answer keys)

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