Spring Break
Alumnus speaks about school violence
Expert says schools are safer than normally perceived
Carl Smith
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
Mississippi State University alumnus David May discussed the causes, preferences and sources of gun carrying in youths with students Thursday.
"Kids and Guns: Why They Do It" was sponsored by the sociology, anthropology and social work department.
May received a master's degree from MSU in 1994, followed by a doctorate in sociology, with an emphasis in criminology in 1997. He currently teaches at Eastern Kentucky University.
From the beginning of his presentation, May dispelled many popular beliefs that schools are more violent now than they have ever been. He said school shootings are a rare occurrence.
"These incidents do not happen as much as you would think," he said. "People are always telling me that they're glad they grew up in the decades before now because schools were much safer unlike today. That's just not true."
May said in the 2006-2007 academic year, there were eight students killed by other students in school shootings nationally.
"The idea that school violence is rampant and that everyone should home-school their kids is something that is so far from the truth in 2008, that it is startling that so many people believe it," he said.
May said children are at a very low risk of being involved in gun crime during school hours. "Juveniles are more likely to commit a crime between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.," he said. "In reality, kids are safer at school during school hours than after school."
National media outlets have helped to contribute to the misconception that school violence is at an all-time high, but are not at complete fault, May said.
"The main criticism I have of the media is the disproportionate amount of negative reporting than positive," May said. "If we had more reporting about the incidents that were controlled, where kids spoke up to teachers and parents, that in itself could help bring that climate of responsibility and safety to many other schools."
May suggested potential ideas that could further reduce gun violence and crime with youths, including increasing cooperation between law enforcement agencies, increasing direct deterrence projects and reducing the amount of gang membership.
"Kids and Guns: Why They Do It" was sponsored by the sociology, anthropology and social work department.
May received a master's degree from MSU in 1994, followed by a doctorate in sociology, with an emphasis in criminology in 1997. He currently teaches at Eastern Kentucky University.
From the beginning of his presentation, May dispelled many popular beliefs that schools are more violent now than they have ever been. He said school shootings are a rare occurrence.
"These incidents do not happen as much as you would think," he said. "People are always telling me that they're glad they grew up in the decades before now because schools were much safer unlike today. That's just not true."
May said in the 2006-2007 academic year, there were eight students killed by other students in school shootings nationally.
"The idea that school violence is rampant and that everyone should home-school their kids is something that is so far from the truth in 2008, that it is startling that so many people believe it," he said.
May said children are at a very low risk of being involved in gun crime during school hours. "Juveniles are more likely to commit a crime between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.," he said. "In reality, kids are safer at school during school hours than after school."
National media outlets have helped to contribute to the misconception that school violence is at an all-time high, but are not at complete fault, May said.
"The main criticism I have of the media is the disproportionate amount of negative reporting than positive," May said. "If we had more reporting about the incidents that were controlled, where kids spoke up to teachers and parents, that in itself could help bring that climate of responsibility and safety to many other schools."
May suggested potential ideas that could further reduce gun violence and crime with youths, including increasing cooperation between law enforcement agencies, increasing direct deterrence projects and reducing the amount of gang membership.
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Laura Collins
posted 4/05/08 @ 7:03 PM CST
NEW SCHOOL SAFETY REPORT PAINTS GRIM PICTURE OF SAFETY IN AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A new report entitled "The State of School Safety in American Schools" speaks of sexual assault, violent cliques and violent parents as commonplace in suburban, urban and rural schools nationwide. (Continued…)
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