by David A. Wolfe, Christine Wekerle, and Katreena Scott

About the authors: David A. Wolfe is a professor of psychology at the University of Western Ontario and a founding member of the Center for Research on Violence Against Women and Children in London, Canada. Christine Wekerle is an assistant professor of psychology at York University. Katreena Scott is completing her Ph.D. in clinical child psychology at the University of Western Ontario.

It is common knowledge that violence is often glamorized in the adolescent’s world, with popular television shows, advertisements, and musical groups presenting violence as a commonplace and acceptable means of dealing with problems. The bombardment of exposure to violent, coercive, and sexist models of relationships (with ample forms of vicarious reinforcement) is coupled with the pressure often put on youths...