It’s true in small towns and rural communities as well as in large cities.

Parents play an important role in preventing school violence. Here are some specific ways parents can help:

1. Teach your teen to get along with others. Make sure he knows how to resolve problems without resorting to violence.

2. Give your teen messages of love and support. Kids who don’t feel supported at home may turn to gangs for acceptance.

3. Make sure your family’s values are clear. It’s important to stress the value of life.

4. Provide role models inside and outside your family. Teens need and want someone to look up to. Let them know that the real heroes are not the people they see on TV. Instead, they’re people raising families and working.

5. Get involved with your teen’s school. Parent involvement is more important than ever as children move through school.

6. Set and enforce limits for your teen’s behavior. Understand that some risk-taking is normal. But there are some risks that are unacceptable (like using drugs).

7. Make sure your teen has no access to a weapon.

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