April 1st is just around the corner and while many kids are preparing themselves for the ultimate prank, there are thousands of others that are planning on walking out to demonstrate to the government, the world and anyone who will listen that the time has come to do something that will end youth violence.  While we are only coming into the month of April there have already been a total of 17 incidents involving a shooting on school property this year. That is an average of 1.4 shooting a week!  This is entirely shocking and disturbing, not only is this excessive but the lack of enforcement by our government to strongly address the issue proves that America has become numb to the horrific events that are happening to these young students.
Our government needs to take a more aggressive approach to protecting our youth with less aggression. Gun control debates have been controversial and very slow moving, but it also only addresses only a single factor of the issue. I want to explain, I do agree that gun control is incredibly important and necessary to limit the chances of weapons getting into the hands of youth.

Florida has just passed a law changing the minimum legal age to purchase a rifle or long gun from a licensed dealer from 18 to 21 years old, this change has happened in response to the terrifying Parkland school shooting resulting in a total of 17 deaths. The scary truth is that most state laws allow individuals to buy a rifle at the age of 18 when buying from a licensed dealer. When purchasing long guns from a private dealer, many states have no minimum legal age. Evaluations and stricter laws on gun control in all of our states should be taking place to limit the chances of dangerous weapons getting into the hands of our youth. An increase in security in public schools will also help limit weapons from being brought inside of the schools.
However, another very important approach seems to be overlooked amongst the gun debate. This is improving the overall social and emotional health of our society. I think it is important to remember that youth suicide is also at a high alongside youth homicide.
A public health approach would preventative rather than responsive and would be incredibly beneficial to our youth and would lower violence in public schools. School climate has strong effects and influences in mental and emotional health. State guidelines should require students to receive credits from a social and emotional curriculum to graduate. An increase in guidance counselors, social workers, and community resources that can focus on preventing bullying, discrimination, relationship building with other youth and adults, and a system to identify youth that is struggling should be implemented throughout all of the United States. Additional Programs need to be established and offered to the public that offers assistance to students that are struggling emotionally and socially as well as a protocol in place to protect that student that could be a harm to themselves or others.
Lastly, we need to focus on the structure of discipline within our school districts and society. Our society as a whole, inadequately responds to unwanted behavior. For example, we yell at children to quit yelling. This is not teaching them the way to properly handle the situation and how to avoid a negative conflict, only to engage in it.
 Rather than isolating, separating, and punishing youth for misbehavior, especially in a school system surrounded by peers that can shame and embarrass you, we should provide discipline that focuses on a positive method of teaching self-control, responsibility, and confidence with additional guidance and counseling.
To successfully prevent violence amongst our youth we must address all of the contributing factors that lead to it.

     Almost a month has gone by since February 14, 2018 and what many people remember about that day is what they did with their significant others or lack of for valentines day, so quickly have they forgotten the words Stoneman Douglas High School and what that day will forever mean to the students there.  Seventeen people were killed and seventeen more were wounded by one person in one of the world deadliest school massacres yet.  While many find themselves pushing these horrible thoughts and events out of our mind the younger generation is tired of this routine and are demanding to be heard, even if it means their education.  

      A recent editorial written on February 26, 2018 by The Huffington post titled My Kid Doesn't Need Permission To Walk Out talks about the repercussions that the younger generation is potentially facing if they follow their fellow historians paths and join the walk out that are scheduled throughout American high schools to tell the government that they want stricter gun laws and less mass school shootings. I believe that this article is written not towards the younger generation but the older generation that feel that the younger kids are just acting out in acts of rebellion.  I feel that what this blog editorial is trying to come across is completely correct in the mission that what they youth is trying to do isn't to stand as a "symbolic gesture of youthfulness" but as a way to tell Iowa government that they must drastically change their gun laws and recent pro-gun bills that have been passed.  The article states that recently the "Iowa's Republican-controlled legislature passed one of the state's most extreme pro-gun bills last year, barring law enforcement from notifying firearms sellers if any gun owner's permit has been suspended or revoked."  What this means is that if your gun license is suspended or revoked a police officer is NOT allowed to tell people who sell guns.  This means that even if it is illegal for you to buy a gun you can still buy one, this is absolutely absurd.  This is what is wrong with the country and partially why there are so many shootings, because it is beyond easy to get a gun.  This is why the younger generation is doing a walk out, because they are "somewhere between rage and grief, and the kids and their schoolmates are simply fed up."  

    While the younger generation is fed up with the lack of gun control, the "oblivious blind eye" towards the N.P.R, the older generation is fed up with the children.  As of now a school district in Texas announced, "that any student participating in such protests against gun violence would be suspended for three days."  A Nevada school district "threatened to keep kids from participating in school-sponsored events, including benching school athletes."  What this is telling the younger generation is that their needs, their wants are not only ignored but wrong.  How can the government expect for any change to happen when they are allowing other people from the government, people from the state tell them to be quiet and to give up their beliefs and wants or else suffer the consequence.  While I agree with this article that kids don't need permission to walk out, I feel that the older generation that also agrees with this should stand up and speak up and defend the younger generation and what they are trying to accomplish.  I feel that this article should call out the older generation that they need to stand up and speak for the younger generation, that they should help us fight this cause with the younger generation.  We can only grow and become "greatness" when you united.

  I encourage everyone to read this article and become the voice of the nation that says we won't be silenced anymore, that something needs to be done, and we need to listen to the new voice of America.  To read the article click the following link: My Kid Doesn't Need Permission To Walk Out