Teen Violence Against Homeless
Here’s yet another chapter in what has become a daily continuing story-the many ways in which teens commit violence against others. The Cornell News recently reported on the Increase in Teen Violence Against the Homeless, including a video series called “BumHunter.”
The video series, which is available on YouTube, features a teen actor portraying a parody of the late Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter, with a vicious twist. These teens attack the homeless. What ensues is terror and humiliation, and many times injury, to the “hunted.”
Apparently, “BumHunter” is a spinoff of another video series, “BumFights.” Viewing these series and other videos like these on YouTube and other sites is horrifying. We see high school and college students-who could easily be our own teenages-attacking innocent people.
This is not merely a testament to what it has come to mean to be a teenager in this country. It is also a testament to the fact that so many are failing in their parental responsibilities. We are raising a generation of people, many of whom find “fun” in humiliating and harming their fellow human beings.
You may call these isolated incidents, perpetrated by only a few teenagers. However, even a few attacks such as these are a disgraceful statement.
teen violence, YouTube, parental responsibility, parents, teens, BumHunter, BumFights
November 20th, 2006 at 12:23 am
There are those of us within the teenage community who find these things despicable. I am 16, and am absolutely horrified with it.
However, I am also happy to say that I, and those people that I choose to hang around, all choose to live lifestyles that we and our parents can be proud of. By example, we promote doing well in school, having general good character, and being tolerant as stuff that we can do and still be cool.
I just wanted to be a voice that spoke for the thoughtful teens out there.
November 20th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Thanks for stopping by, Dana. My 16-year-old daughter also is one of those teens who promotes doing well in school and living a lifestyle that I’m proud of. It’s always nice to hear from teen readers.