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"No," insists Samenow. "This is not to say that one may or may
not be more of the instigator. But the idea is that the other
teen was somehow helpless or malleable is false. Kids are
drawn together to commit crimes because they are alike."
You also can't rule out the effect the media has on teens.
"Most, if not all, crimes teens commit are influenced at least
in part by something they have seen on TV or the movies," says
Lieberman. Not only does the media desensitize teens to
violence--the typical teen will witness 40,000 murders and
200,000 other violent acts on TV by age 18--it can spur
copycat crimes, especially when a couple is involved. "There
have been a lot of duos in TV and movies that romanticize
violence, says Lieberman. From Bonnie and Clyde to Natural
Born Killers, such movies depict one lone couple against the
world--an attractive notion to many young people. Lieberman
points to the shooting of a convenience store clerk, Patsy Ann
Byers, in March, 1995, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Sarah
Edmonson, 18 at the time, is accused of walking into the store
and grabbing a candy bar. She walked up to the counter, but
instead of taking out money, she allegedly pulled out a
handgun and shot Byers, leaving the clerk permanently
paralyzed, her spinal cord severed at the neck. Edmonson then
robbed the cash register, leaning over Byers to reach it.
TOP
Apparently, Edmonson and her boyfriend, Benjamin Darras, then
18, left their homes in Oklahoma to take a road trip. Darras
has told police that they held up the convenience store
because they needed cash. During their two-week joy ride
through several states, Darras also allegedly robbed and shot
a man in Hernando, Mississippi. The kicker? Edmonson
reportedly told authorities that she and Darras had just seen
Natural Born Killers, which details the exploits of a
crime-crazy young couple, just before the trip.
TOP
Despite these heinous acts committed by some of the nation's
seemingly best and brightest kids, experts don't believe we
are turning into a generation of criminals. Samenow believes
that there is hope for the David Grahams and Diane Zamoras in
the world, that they can learn to solve problems without
resorting to violence. He also believes parents and friends
can train themselves to see the signs of trouble early and
intervene before a teen gets out of control.
Besides, for every teen gone sour, look at all the ones who
haven't. "Most teens are kind and charitable and performing
way beyond our expectations," says Leventhal. "So when we talk
about what is the world coming to, remember that the vast
majority of teens are doing great." TOP
TEEN TIME-BOMB DANGER SIGNS
It's normal for teens to test their boundaries. But what if
you--or a friend--is pushing the limits too far, and on the
edge of becoming violent or committing a crime? Los Angeles
psychiatrist Mark Goulston, M.D., author of the book Get
Out Of Your Own Way, gives warning signs to look for:
- Extreme irritability. "The more edgy
someone is, the more likely they are to explode," says
Goulston.
- Disregard for authority--teachers,
grades, parents.
- Drifting away from old friends to new
friends who take more risks and engage in dangerous
activities.
- Uncontainable anger. "When the person
gets upset, you can almost see an animalistic glitter in
their eye that is frightening and gives you a chilling
feeling," says Goulston.
- Viewing comments as challenges or
dares.
- Displays of cruelty to animals or
minor crimes, such as shoplifting.
If you see these traits in yourself or a friend, get help from
a counselor as soon as possible. He or she can intervene
before your feelings--and actions--get out of control.
(c) 2002
teenmag.com. All rights reserved. A PRIMEDIA Company
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