Dennis D. Embry

About the author: Dennis D. Embry holds a doctoral degree in developmental psychology and is president of the PAXIS Institute, a nonprofit organization working to help individuals, organizations, and communities achieve productivity, peace, health, and emotional well-being.

Children have become more violent due to social, biological, and environmental causes. Depression in youths, for example, which occurs more frequently in children with depressed caretakers such as parents or teachers, is linked to antisocial attitudes and irritability. Genetic history may influence a child's predisposition towards violence, and exposure to toxic substances such as lead in children's environment can also increase violent tendencies. Scientific breakthroughs, however, now offer a possible means for reducing youth violence. Researchers find, for instance, that teaching children how to get along with others can help inhibit impulsive...