Close to Home: Comparative Perspectives on Childhood and Community Violence

This study examines the ways in which community violence affects children, their families, and communities. An understanding of these dynamics will be shown to be critical to the development of effective learning environments, as schools and teachers can mitigate the effects of community violence on children. Drawing on the research conducted in Southern Africa, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, and the United States, this article (1) reviews the literature regarding the effects of chronic community violence on children, (2) highlights recurring themes, and (3) discusses implications of this research for school and community intervention in the United States.