More recently, news of teenage involvement in violence and crimes seem to be grabbing the headlines. Mediatrice Nwosu takes a look at the trend and factors that may be responsible.
It has been said that violence causes more injury and death amongst teenagers and youths than infectious diseases, cancer or birth defects. This has been ascribed largely to youth impatience and an attraction to violence; fueled by anger, impatience, peer pressure and more importantly a rising romance with alcohol, narcotics and other addictive substances.
To further underline this propensity to violence, a report by the Centre for Disease Control states that 16% of all violent crimes are committed by teenagers.
Ironically, the victims of such violence are often close people and relatives like parents, siblings, teenage friends in the neighbourhood and schools. Of note is the story of 14-year-old Efemena Chinedu, who allegedly raped his 6-year-old sister and murdered his 8 year old brother at their family residence in Ofagbe, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Chinedu in February allegedly killed his brother and raped his sister as a result of alleged hatred by his polygamous father. He reportedly confessed to sitting on the victim’s face, using his butt to cover his nostrils while the target was fast asleep. Unfortunately for him, his sister saw him and reported to their father, who reported the matter at the police station.
Chinedu reportedly confessed: “My father hates me, he has five wives. He loves his other children more than me. That was why he asked me to stop schooling and instead learn a trade; his hatred led me to rape my half-sister and kill my brother.”
In Lagos, cases of teenagers involved in despicable violence as a result of their involvement in cult groups have been on the rise. A case in point is the recent assaults on Itire, Surulere by hordes of youths, who maimed innocent people and looted shops in broad daylight. This is not to forget the case of Michael, who was visciously macheted by his neighbour, another youth, and rushed to the hospital in Itire.
There is also the case of the Lagos Neighbourhood watch officer, Moshood Mobolaji, hacked to death in the same Itire, Surulere in February by members of a notorious cult group.
Internet, a major factor
Speaking to The Nation, Miss Omoye, an HND2 student of Yaba College of Technology put the blame on the internet and the negative influence of the social media. “The internet is a fast means of affecting a child either negatively or positively. With their phones, they can watch anything, learn and see anything.”
Omoye blames the television as well, saying “Most of the programs shown on TV can influence the character or attitude of a teen.”
She cited a situation where a child or adolescent is constantly exposed to television programmes, where a child repeatedly calls the bluff of his parents or is exposed to indecent dressing, smoking, alcohol and drug habits, in addition to stealing, raping, assault and killing. “What do you expect from such orientation?” She asked rather brusquely.
Another youth, Tunde Kolawole, who lives in Ajegunle, says it is more about peer pressure. “It is when you begin to move with friends that you learn to be bold, indulge in drinking, smoking marijuana and other drug habits. This is also when you learn to use weapons in fights, which could result in murders. So my advice is that parents should watch the friends their children keep.”
Emotion, a major factor – psychologist
According to Mrs. Taiwo Ololade, a psychologist, “Emotions; which could be emotional disorder, emotional instability, depression, emotional trauma can lead to violence in a teenager. Some of these adolescents are affected by fear, loss of purpose, jealousy, anger, mood swings, suffering, anxiety and the rest of them.”
She made mention of incidents of suicide that rent the nation recently, when people were jumping into the lagoon out of frustration, a result of the harsh economic situation at the time.
Ololade also ascribed the violent tendencies to feelings of not being appreciated – in school, at work or at home. This inevitably leads to jealousy and hatred.
As a way out, Ololade recommends rehabilitation. “Take the child to a clinic centre, where experts would talk to them, advise them and educate them without the aid of drugs.
“It could also be Group therapy. This is a place where different children with similar problems get to meet each other, hear each other’s experience and learn to be better with the knowledge of an expert. There could be personal therapy, psychotherapy and so on, depending on each case.”
According to Ololade, parents also have roles to play, to protect their teens from violent behavior. These she outlined as follows:
- be involved in our teens’ lives
- Know what your teen enjoys and how they spend their free time
- Talk to them about the effect a group can have on their life. Peers have a great impact on teen’s behaviour.
- help your teen find ways of resolving conflicts without resorting to violence.
- React to difficult situations in a calm, relaxed manner, and avoid yelling and name calling.