Columbine High School Massacre The Facts, Theories,...

Columbine High School Massacre: The Facts, Theories, Issues, and Solutions On April 20, 1999, one of the largest school shootings in American history took place at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Two teens, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, shot and killed 13 people and wounded more than 20 others both before committing suicide. Many believe the two teens decided to hold this school massacre because both were bullied and were outcasts. This paper will examine labeling and social control theories to explain the behavior of these two juveniles, and this paper will also include issues and solutions pertaining to these theories. The labeling theory is based on social deviations that result in the outsider becoming labeled (UK Essays, 2013). Labels make expectations that the labeled person will act in a specific way. These labeled people will eventually begin to accept their labels as personal identities (Siegel Welsh, 2014). In other words, this theory explains society makes people deviant through those who label those people as delinquent; that stigmatizes those people and encourages them to accept the label as a personal identity. Another part of the labeling theory is that the process helps create a self-fulfilling prophecy; deviant behavior patterns are a response to being previously labeled (Siegel Welsh, 2014). The social control theory suggests that â€Å"people engage in criminal activity when their bond to society has weakened† (Ortiz, 2011). This theoryShow MoreRelated We Must Work to Prevent Mass School Shootings Essay1394 Words   |  6 Pagesshootings at schools. The public, and even the president of the United States, is asking if anything can be done to prevent these tragedies. There are many theories on why students kill their peers at schools; these range from increased violence in video games and movies to bullying troubles at school. Almost always, the perpetrator suffers from some form of mental illness (Khadaroo). Because of this, motives for these crimes are extremely difficult to discern. Although the theories for the causesRead MoreHistory Behind The Gun Control2680 Words   |  11 PagesCapone is most well known for his acts of violence against other gangsters.(â€Å"Al Capone†, 2016) In 1929 Capone had Jack Mcgurn, a hitman, pose as a police officer and kill seven men from a rival gang.(â€Å"Al Capone†, 2016) After this â€Å"Valentine s Day Massacre† there was a lot of heat on Capone and co. and President Hoover called for the government to finally catch and jail him for tax evasion.(â€Å"Al Capone†, 2016) Capone was eventually arrested and jailed and in from 1934 to 1938 President Franklin RooseveltRead MoreGun Laws Decrease Violence1972 Words   |  8 Pagesclose eye on him, he would do so, but if not, he would’ve admitted him for further care and evaluation (para 9). â€Å"That’s what society does. It would no more abandon this man to fend for himself than it would a man suffering a stroke,† he said. His theory is basically to help the people who need help instead of turning them away and assuming they are going to be fine. In cases such as this, why would any police officer, doctor, or anyone else be willing to take that gamble? He closes up by saying â€Å"WeRead MoreZero Toleranc e Policies During The Late 1980 S2602 Words   |  11 Pagesenforcement and arrest. In 1994 Congress passed the Gun-Free Schools Act, which forced states to pass laws mandating expulsion for a minimum of one year for bringing a weapon to school in order to receive federal education funds. By the mid 90’s roughly 80% of schools had adopted zero tolerance policies beyond the federal requirements and in response the federal government began to increase funding for security guards and other school based law enforcement officers and equipment. These changesRead MorePopular Culture and Violent Behavior Essay11795 Words   |  48 PagesIntroduction In 1871 E.B. Taylor defined culture as that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, and many other capabilities and habits acquired by...[members] of society.[1] Taylor was talking about high culture, an aristocratic view of the past-times such as ballet, theatre and art. Popular culture, on the other hand, is a form of low culture and is based primarily on marketing, mass production and revenue. Low culture is what is soldRead MoreViolence on Television Does Not Impact Behavior Essay3474 Words   |  14 Pagesindisputable fact that violence sells in the 90s. turn on the television during prime time and right away a throng of gruesome programs amasses you from Extreme Wrestling to CNN news. Whens the last time you heard something positive on the news as opposed to civil war in Europe, the death of an inner-city youth by a rival gang, or the brutal rape and murder of a child by their parent? Perhaps the news contributes more than just an insightful knowledge of events. Perhaps Columbine copycats and school bomb