CLOSE TO HOME - COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVES ON CHILDHOOD AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE

This study examines the ways in which community violence affects child ren, their families, and communities. An understanding of these dynami cs will be shown to be critical to the development of effective learni ng environments, as schools and teachers can mitigate the effects of c ommunity violence on children. Drawing on the research conducted in So uthern Africa, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and the United State s, this article (1) reviews the literature regarding the effects of ch ronic community violence on children, (2) highlights recurring themes, and (3) discusses implications of this research for school and commun ity intervention in the United States.