Australian boys more violent than US peers

Australian school boys have admitted to being more violent than their US counterparts, with nearly one in five saying they have committed acts of violence, according to a study of almost 4000 students in Victoria and Washington State.

The study by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in collaboration with the University of Washington asked 1905 Victorian and 1913 Washington state students if in the previous 12 months they had either attacked someone with the idea of seriously hurting them or beaten up someone so badly that the person required medical treatment.

In Victoria, up to 17.5 per cent of boys aged 12 to 16 admitted to violence compared to 12.6 per cent of their Washington State counterparts. Australian girls were slightly better behaved than their US peers, with up to 6.9 per cent admitting to violence compared to 7.6 per cent of girls from Washington State.

The longitudinal study, published this week by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, found students who were suspended from school or arrested were more than 1.5 times more likely to engage in violence 12 months later.

Prior violent behaviour, problems at home, associating with violent peers and community disorganisation and acceptance of drug use also contributed to violent behaviour, while students who reported good emotional control were less likely to engage in violence.

Lead researcher Dr Sheryl Hemphill said the higher rate of violence among Australian school boys was unexpected and required further investigation.

“This study is important in determining whether we need to specifically address violent behaviour in Australian boys and if US early intervention and prevention programs can be applied in Australia,” Dr Hemphill said.

“The negative consequences of school suspensions and arrests also warrant greater discussion and consideration in developing effective approaches in schools and the community for dealing with violent and related behaviours.”

The study is following participants into adulthood to see if the higher rates of violence among Australian males continue over time. The findings form part of the International Youth Development Study, an ongoing collaboration between the University of Washington, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Deakin University and the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

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