When youth (particularly those vulnerable to physical threat) find themselves continuously ridiculed or harassed at home or by other students, they often feel trapped in their environment with no place to turn, Such youth, unable to cope with insufferable humiliation, fear, and shame, may see some form of "safe violence" as their only viable alternative. Moreover, when such youth feel they have been victimized by society in general, they are usually more susceptible to the influence of negative peer pressure.

Unless such at-risk youth have an effective way to resolve their interpersonal conflicts in a peaceable manner, the resulting anger and frustration can create a powder keg of potential violence. Further, even if such youth learn effective communication skills at school, those skills may not survive their return to a negative home or school environment. The following story of a hypothetical middle school student named Bo will help illustrate this problem.

A Typical Case Scenario [names are fictitious]
Bo is 14 years old. His mother and father are divorced, and he currently lives with his mother in northeast Houston. Both his parents work. His mother works for a Houston insurance company and his father manages a dry cleaning business in San Antonio. Bo's father has remarried; his mother has not. Both parents care about Bo and are concerned about his future. But, neither parent knows how to help him solve his current problems.

Bo has been in trouble since he entered middle school about a year ago. Bo, who has a slight build, has never been particularly interested in athletics. After his first month at his new school, Bo complained to his mother that he hated his teachers and the other students, particularly the "jocks" who often made fun of him. As time went by, Bo became increasingly moody, sullen and withdrawn. Then, Bo became involved with a new group of friends, who call themselves the "Hoods", and he started staying out late, skipping school, and "hanging out" at the arcade. Bo's mother suspects he is also smoking pot. At school, Bo has been in continuous trouble for being tardy to class and for talking back to his teachers. For the past semester his grades have dropped continuously.

About six months ago Bo was arrested when he and several friends were caught trying to sell stolen auto parts to a local junk dealer. Bo was placed on probation, but continued to have trouble at school. After a "pushing" incident with his shop instructor, Bo was placed in an Alternative School.

New Communication Skills
After a semester at the alternative school, Bo is being considered for return to his regular school. He appears to have improved his behavior and he now gets along well with his teachers and fellow students. He shows some indication of Attention Deficit Disorder, but he has been able to keep up with his school work. With five other youth, he has participated in a special Conflict Resolution and Anger Management (CRAM) Training Course conducted by an experienced trainer of at-risk youth. As a result of this training, Bo has a better understanding of the nature of conflict, and he has learned how to deal with his anger and frustration in a positive manner.