An ecological perspective on the effects of violence on children

Abstract

This special issue of The Journal of Community Psychology contains a series of first-rate research reports on the community, family, and individual dynamics of violence and trauma in the lives of children and youth. Many of the authors are genuine pioneers in this field, and their work is both informative and thought provoking. From settings in the United States—e.g., Illinois, Oregon, Iowa, and New York—to countries around the world—e.g., Chile, Canada, Palestine, and England—these researchers have brought their considerable skills and talents to bear in understanding how context shapes the processes through which violence and trauma shape development. Reading their work stimulates some thoughts on my part. These thoughts are the focus of this commentary. The authors of an excellent edited volume on the mental health issues of children in war entitled their book Minefields in Their Hearts ~Apfel & Simon, 1996!. This image captures the basic truth that war presents children and youth with serious developmental challenges, challenges that if unmet can lead to disaster. This much is clear. Children have been involved directly in the prosecution of war in extraordinary and increasing numbers throughout the 20th century. UNICEF estimates that whereas in 1900 the ratio of civilian to military casualties was about 1:9, in recent decades this pattern has reversed, and now stands at approximately 8:1 ~civilians to solders!. Children constitute a significant proportion of these civilian casualties. This shift reflects the changing nature of war. The technology of war-making increasingly emphasizes anti-personnel weapons that do not target specific individuals, and indiscriminate bombing and shelling, while the strategy of war increasingly emphasizes attacks on civilian infrastructure ~whether it be in the saturation bombing of “conventional war” or the struggle for the “hearts and minds” of the population characteristic of insurgency-counter insurgency operations!. An understanding of the impact of war on children and youth is practically important in a large number of societies around the world, including countries which do not have overt war within their borders but do accept numerous refugees coming