Mental Health Expert Calls for National Debate on System That is Failing Boys, Discusses Why Young Men Turn to Violence and Commit School Shootings

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Oct 28, 2014, 11:21 ET

EDMONDS, Wash., Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Spurred by the most recent school shooting at ‪Marysville Pilchuck High School in Washington state, Dr. Gregory Jantz, noted mental health expert, is calling for a national debate on the phenomena of young men resorting to gun violence in schools. This latest shooting follows a pattern of young males committing gun violence at UC Santa Barbara, Seattle Pacific University, Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon, Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut and elsewhere.

"The conflux of modern behavioral phenomena – non-stop social media escalation and antagonism, with a huge increase in overall technology addictions – coupled with traditional factors of bullying and unrequited love can form a volatile environment," Dr. Jantz says.

"But underlying all of this is a very troubling cultural trend that is producing disenfranchised, confused and violent boys and young men. At their earliest, formative ages, our society is condemning young boys' behavior. The result, as we are seeing in many of these boys, is that they reach their teenage and young adult years in massive confusion as to their identity and what are appropriate social norms. The tragic result is Marysville Pilchuck High School and so many other recent horrors. Our hearts ache for the families affected. We truly are experiencing a crisis in our country," Dr. Jantz continues.

Dr. Jantz pointed out these alarming statistics:

70% of D's and F's in school are given to boys
77% of expulsions are boys
80% of all disciplinary referrals are boys
67% of all children held back in class are boys
73% of children diagnosed with learning disabilities are boys
81% of suicides ages 10-19 are boys
80% of diagnosed behavioral disorders are boys
80% of children on Ritalin are boys (the U.S. consumes 80% of the world's Ritalin)
89% of incarcerated youths age 15-17 are males
33% of men aged 22-34 live at home with parents, a 100% increase in 20 years. No such increase has occurred for women

Noting research conducted in his recent best-seller Raising Boys By Design, co-authored with brain science expert Michael Gurian, Dr. Jantz relayed, "We have created a culture that labels boys morally defective, hyper, undisciplined or 'problem children' when quite frequently the problem is not the boys but the family, our social environment, and our institutions that do not understand their specific needs and their brain chemistry."

"Limiting their natural development, and not understanding the difference in their brain make-up, has resulted in stunted behavioral growth. Condemning their actions during their early developmental years, and ending the discussion there, reinforces the message to them that their identity is confused and something for them to be ashamed of. Their resulting behavior can be shocking, as we are seeing."

"We must have this important national debate now. How do we reverse this alarming trend? There is a solution, but we must address it as a society."

Dr. Jantz noted Michael Gurian's chilling disclosure, "After almost two decades of working with boys and young men – in classrooms, in prisons, in community agencies, and in my therapy practice – my fear for them grows."

While calling for a national debate, Dr. Jantz emphasizes the importance of parents to discuss these violent tragedies with their children immediately. "We cannot let this trauma turn into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) where it stays with children long-term. They will always have the memory, but it cannot be a memory that harms them," Dr. Jantz says.

For parents with school-aged children, breaching these sensitive conversations with their kids can be difficult. Dr. Jantz advises parents to let the children guide the conversation. He also advises to be cognizant of developmental age differences between children that affect their ability to process information.

"What a younger child can process is different than a person in high school or even junior high," explains Dr. Jantz. "But we must deal with it. We need to make it a family discussion."

In the wake of the recent school violence, Dr. Jantz believes that it is imperative for parents and mentors to understand how to best talk with children about these issues. He has provided parents tools and resources to help guide these conversations in his recent blogs and news interviews.

Resources for Parents:

Fox News Interview on Marysville Pilchuck High School Shooting

How to Talk About School Shootings With Children

Talking to Your Kids About Violence

How to Discuss School Shootings With Kids

Dr. Gregg Jantz:

www.drgregoryjantz.com

www.aplaceofhope.com

Dr. Jantz Playlist: Discussion – School Violence

Media Contacts:

Beth Chapman, 816.835.0306, Email, Dr. Jantz Media Representative

SOURCE Dr. Gregory Jantz