Educational Responses Toward Community Violence: A Critical Analysis of Perspectives on Causes and Solutions

Alarming rates of community violence and the detrimental impact on youth and communities stress the need for a well-founded response. This paper presents an integrative review of theory and research on the broad range of educational interventions to counter community violence. Based on critical analysis of distinctions in perspectives, objectives, and strategies, we established a multidisciplinary taxonomy of distinguishable approaches. The results show most interventions focus on either individual behavior or group interaction, while strategies for transformation of social systems are underrepresented. Based on related imbalances in theoretical orientations, the paper suggests a conceptual reorientation of community violence that includes structural mechanisms and enables a targeted approach of the many levels through which youth and communities are affected. By presenting a coherent overview of current educational responses, this paper assists policymakers and practitioners in integrating multiple strategies in a context-based and community-involved approach to reverse violence and promote peace.