Gun Violence in Schools: Is It Not a Gun Problem But a Cultural One? by Renee

Opinion Headlines
6 years ago

Gun Violence in Schools: Is It Not a Gun Problem But a Cultural One?

“This post wasn’t about gun control. This is me, loving the crap out of people and wanting the best for them.”

Kelly Guthrie Raley, a 20-year veteran teacher, shared her thoughts on the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on her Facebook page. Since her initial posting, her response has been shared more than 700,000 times and counting.

Raley shared that she believes the lack of mental health care, lack of discipline in the home, lack of parental support, lack of support for teachers, and lack of moral values are at fault for the increase of school violence in recent years. She also said that video game violence and reality TV play a part and have helped to create a culture in which compassion is gone and the “permanency of death” is not understood by young people.

What do you think? Are Raley's views too extreme? Or do you agree that nothing will change for the better until we take ownership of all that is lacking in our government, schools and in our own homes?

Read Kelly Guthrie Raley's full post about the Florida school shooting and share your opinion below.

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Elisa Schmitz
What an amazing post, Renee Herren , from you and from Kelly. I absolutely think we have a cultural problem, and there's so much that contributes to it. I'm hopeful that the kids and teachers who are rising up and taking a stand and sharing their voices are finally going to be the spark that ignites the changes we need in our country. Thank you for sharing this!
Ann Marie Patitucci
Yes, Elisa All Schmitz 30Seconds . The kids in particular give me hope! I'm actually writing about them!
Ann Marie Patitucci
Thank you for this, Renee Herren ! Kelly raises some important questions here. While I do believe we need to address gun control, I feel there's more we can do, starting with the issue of toxic/hegemonic masculinity, for instance. I also believe we need to create a culture of kindness in our homes and schools. It can only help. I'll be interested to hear what the rest of the tribe thinks.
Renee
Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead I agree 100%. Gun control is not the only issue here. Our society is hurting right now on so many levels.
Gina Pomering
I applaud her point and I agree with all she says and will take it one step further. Not only is the issue mental health but health in general. As a society we are failing children in more ways than 1!! We ask them to deal w the anxieties of adults and adults can’t even deal w them. We have plagued them w toxic environment, food allergies, , too much homework, Neuropsychiatric and neurological issues , ASD, ADHD... and rather than try to figure out what we are doing to create this downfall of our children we push adult psychiatric drugs on them and ridicule their behaviors rather than try to understand why they are behaving the way they are. Teachers are asked to teach, and mother and care w no more support or $ and all that is done is more adults bicker back n forth about politics and guns. We have become lazy about raising our kids and drop them off @ school like it’s day Care and now we want to ask teachers to become armed guards. Enough is enough! The kids know it and that is why they are revolting all over the country . America needs to grow up and become parents again from the top to the bottom! What does it say that the teenagers are making more logical sense than the adults! It says we need to grow up and start taking responsibility for what we have done and start fixing it!
Mike Prochaska
Yes to many little kids are playing call of duty
SarahDee
No news organizations want to discuss how they could help end mass shootings by not publishing the names and personal details of the killers, along with the flood of stories in the aftermath of a shooting. The less publicity we give these killers, the better.

This is similar to back in the 1970s when the media published and glorified serial killers. Criminologists and others have studied this behavior and have concluded these kids want fame or to be recognized. It would also diminish the potential for copycats. Although so much damage has been done by the media after years of reporting every detail, they need to recognize how they have contributed to the problem.

Hold the media accountable!
Holly Budde
Amen!! we have many factors contributing to the break down and division in our society. We cant afford to turn a blind eye on the cultural problems that are being ignored.
AJ Rogers
I think it is a perfect storm of all the variables mentioned when it comes to this topic.

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