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How does growing up in an unsafe and violent neighborhood affect a child's life?

Living in neighborhoods with high levels of violence can affect children’s development by changing the way that a part of the brain detects and responds to potential threats, potentially leading to poorer mental health and other negative outcomes. However, nurturing parents can help protect kids against these detrimental effects.

Researchers found that participants who lived in more disadvantaged neighborhoods reported more exposure to community violence. Despite living in a disadvantaged neighborhood, children with more nurturing and involved parents were not as likely to be exposed to community violence, and for those who were exposed, having a more nurturing parent diminished the impact of violence exposure on the brain.

This highlights the need for structural solutions to protect children from the negative impact of exposure to community violence. It also points to how strong, positive parents can promote resilience among children and teens exposed to adversity.

Reasoning:

Both Wes' grew up in neighborhoods that were surrounded by violence and were unsafe, so why did they end up going down completely different paths?

Wes (incarcerated) was more involved with crime due to his brother Tony becoming a drug dealer from a very early age. Despite Tony's advice, Wes is envious of his lifestyle and soon becomes a drug dealer, too. Because of his mother's absence and lack of parenting due to her constantly working, Wes only has Tony to look up to. There was no one around to nurture both Tony and Wes, so they became involved in crime.

However, Wes (author) went down a completely separate path. Wes grew up in both Baltimore and then later on the Bronx, both known to be very unsafe areas where crime was overflowing the community. Despite this, Wes was still able to steer away from this aspect of his community. This is due to him having a nurturing mother who worked three jobs to be able to pay for Wes's private school education. Not only did he have a nurturing mother, he also had grandparents who looked out for him when his mother wasn't around. This factors into how these two lead different lives.

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Living in violent neighborhoods affects children’s brain development

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Living in neighborhoods with high levels of violence can affect children’s development by changing the way that a part of the brain detects and responds to potential threats, potentially leading to poorer mental health and other negative outcomes.

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Question: How does a single-parent household affect kids, specifically boys?

The percentage of US children living in single-parent households nearly tripled between 1960 and 2023, increasing from 9% to 25% (US Census Bureau 2023). In the same period, the share of households with fathers missing more than doubled, increasing from 11% to 25%.

I chose to use this article because it not only explains single-parent households but also stats on missing fathers. Like in the book, both Wes Moores had to grow up without a father and it affected both of them. Even with the short time Wes Moore the author had with is father before he died he thought Wes life lessons the incarcerated Wes didn’t have. His father taught him to be a gentle man and to not harm anyone especially women. He knew the right and wrongs of society

The articles also state that boys living in these conditions are more likely to engage in negative social behaviors (Kearney 2023), and girls often experience a lack of confidence and struggle with decision-making (Rothwell 2023).

This is true for the specificity of the incarcerated Wes Moore, as his environment, without a father figure, led him down a bad path. He was taught to be the protector of his family at a young age

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America’s single-parent households and missing fathers - N-IUSSP

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America leads the world in single-parent household rates, with the large majority of those households missing a father. Despite the public’s recognition of the importance of two-parent households for children ... Read more

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How does experiencing domestic violence affect children's future?

Living with domestic violence significantly alters a child’s DNA, aging them prematurely 7-10 years.

Between 3.3 and 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year and have a greater risk of being violent in future relationships.

Children of domestic violence are 3 times more likely to repeat the cycle in adulthood, as growing up with domestic violence is the most significant predictor of whether or not someone will engage in domestic violence later in life.

Those who grow up with domestic violence are 6 times more likely to commit suicide and 50% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

If you grow up with domestic violence, you’re 74% more likely to commit a violent crime against someone else.

Reasoning: These statistics show how domestic violence can affect children in different ways, which is how both Wes's had two different paths they went down. The only difference was that one had support and understanding of why domestic violence wasn't okay, and the other was left without any knowledge of domestic violence. Wes, the author, was taught to remember while Wes, the incarcerated, was taught not to question the actions of others.

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How does the absence of a good community impact a child's life?

A good community for a child fosters healthy development through safety, access to resources, and supportive relationships. In contrast, a bad community can lead to negative outcomes due to factors like poverty, violence, and lack of opportunities.

In the United States, approximately 11 million children live in poverty, representing about 16% of the child population. Children in low-income families are often raised in under-resourced neighborhoods. These areas frequently lack access to quality education, healthcare, and safe recreational spaces. Children from low-income families often attend underfunded schools with limited resources, leading to disparities in academic achievement. Factors such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to educational materials contribute to difficulties in concentration and learning.

Financial instability often leads to increased stress and can strain family relationships. Parents may work multiple jobs with irregular hours, limiting their ability to engage with their children’s education and well-being. This environment can perpetuate a cycle of poverty, making it difficult for future generations to break free from economic hardship.

Poverty and stress are contributing factors to higher incidences of child abuse and neglect. Children exposed to such adverse experiences are at a greater risk for developing behavioral issues and health problems later in life.

Intergenerational poverty, or the “cycle of poverty,” suggests that children raised in impoverished conditions are more likely to remain poor in adulthood. Breaking this cycle requires comprehensive strategies that address both immediate needs and long-term solutions. Access to quality education, stable employment opportunities, and supportive community resources are critical components in disrupting this cycle and promoting economic mobility.

Reasoning:

Although he grew up in poverty, Wes (author) had a community and the support of his grandparents/family looking out for him. He found community and solidarity through the basketball court, where people from all different walks of life come together to play basketball.

Wes (incarcerated) also grew up in poverty but without that same sort of support and community around him. Because his mother was always working, Wes (incarcerated) only had his older brother Tony looking out for him, causing Wes to idolize Tony. Tony tried his best to raise Wes so he would turn out like him, but Tony was around violence and gangs his whole life, so that's all he knew. Wes saw this and learned about violence and gangs without even realizing it. He had no one else to teach him why violence wasn't an acceptable response to conflict because of the lack of community he experienced.

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Poverty and its Effects on Children | Children’s Bureau

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Learn more about poverty and its effect on children. Be an advocate for children’s lives - explore ways to get involved and make a difference!

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Does the neighborhood a child grows up in effect their behavior?

The neighborhood a child grows up in has significant long-term effects on their behavior. Six-to-seven percent of children in industrialized western societies are affected by their external environment. This includes: destroying properties, fighting, stealing, and refusing to follow rules; all of which they are more susceptible to in bad neighborhoods.

There was a study conducted by a researcher at John Hopkins School of Public Health between the years 1997-2007 on 3,563 children. Parents were asked to rate their neighborhood as "poor", "fair", "good", "very good", or "excellent". Then the parents had to rate the behavior level of their children on a scale of 0-20. Children within the ages of seven through twelve had the most noticiable differences in behavior. The behavior scores of the kids in the "poor" rated neighborhoods contrasted the behavior scores of the kids in the "excellent" rated neighborhood. A professor who studied this experiment, as well as others, believes that the longer a person lives in a bad/ good neighborhood, the more impact it will have on them.

I chose this article because it explains how the external factors and environment a child grows up in may affect their future behaviors. In the novel, both of the Wes Moores lived in a bad neighborhood. The difference, however, was that the author Wes moved to an improved quality neighborhood, while the other Wes was stuck in the same one. The author Wes' mother worked hard to move them to the Bronx. Here Wes was able to find community on the basketball courts. He made friends and learned lessons through playing ball. The other Wes though, lived within a "poor" neighborhood. His mother was not very present and his brother stepped up as his main caregiver. His brother was also raised in that neighborhood where he was surrounded by bad behaviors such as; substance abuse, violence, stealing, and destroying properties. He found "community" in his drug selling. He became a powerful dealer at a young age. The other Wes had a poor role model, even though his brother didn't want the other Wes to end up like him.

The bad environments some kids grow up in can predict their future behaviors such as; violence, substance abuse, and delinquency. Researchers believe if they can improve low quality neighborhoods, they can improve the behavior and quality of life for many people (especially kids), as well as lower the crime rates.

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The quality of the neighborhood in which a child grows up has a significant impact on the number of problem behaviors he or she display during elementary and teenage years, a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests.

The findings, published online in the November issue of Social Science and Medicine, indicate that neighborhood quality has significant and long-term effects on child and adolescent problem behaviors, findings that can help inform national, state, and local housing policy and community investment decisions.

"I think this is a wakeup call for understanding the power of neighborhoods to contribute to the crime and behavior problems that we see in our society."

Bloomberg School professor

Past studies have shown that externalizing behaviors-or problem behaviors that are directed toward the external environment, such as fighting, stealing, destroying property, or refusing to follow rules-affect 6 to 7 percent of children in industrialized western societies, a rate that increases with age. Many children with these problems continue to be disruptive and exhibit problems into adolescence.

For the study, conducted between 1997 and 2007 on 3,563 children, parents rated their neighborhoods on as either "excellent," "very good," "good," "fair," or "poor" for raising children on a 0-20 scale, with 0 being poor and 20 being excellent. Over the decade of follow-up for the study, parents completed questionnaires about their child's behavior, with possible values ranging from 0-20. The researchers found that children between ages 7 and 12 had significantly more serious behavior problems if they lived in neighborhoods that their parent rated as "poor" for raising children, compared to those living in the "excellent" neighborhoods. The average problem behavior score was 4, and externalizing problem behavior scores were 1.7 points lower for those in "excellent" neighborhoods.

The lower levels of behavior problems among adolescents in better neighborhoods was primarily explained by lower levels of parental distress and family conflict. Parents' ratings of neighborhood quality were not associated with externalizing behaviors among children 6 and younger.

These behaviors predict more serious adverse outcomes later in life, such as substance abuse, delinquency, and violence, explains study leader Anne Riley, a professor in the Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health at the Bloomberg School. Previous studies have linked poor neighborhood quality to a higher risk of these behaviors, she adds.

Riley notes that the connection between neighborhood effects and a child's age might be simply a function of time-the longer a child is exposed to their environment, the stronger that environment's influence is likely to be. Additionally, having better family conditions might buffer the effects of a poor quality neighborhood, or strengthen the effects of a good neighborhood.

A striking result for the study, she adds, is that most caregivers were well aware that they lived in a neighborhood that wasn't the best environment for raising children. Other research has shown that many are unable to leave due to circumstances such as cost of quality housing, proximity to jobs, or, for minority families, the difficulty of living in unfamiliar communities. As income inequality has grown over the past several decades, Riley explains, many parents are forced to raise their children in places that feel chaotic or unsafe, circumstances that are far from ideal for development. Future studies will be necessary to assess whether housing programs currently in place mitigate these factors and lead to fewer externalizing behaviors in at-risk children.

"I think this is a wakeup call for understanding the power of neighborhoods to contribute to the crime and behavior problems that we see in our society," she says. "Our results suggest that neighborhood effects are something that we need to tune into in a much more explicit and purposeful way."

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A neighborhood's quality has a lasting effect on a child's behavior, study finds

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The quality of the neighborhood in which a child grows up has a significant impact on the number of problem behaviors he or she display during elementary and teenage years, a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests.

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Question: What are the negative impacts of solidarity

Solidarity is an erratic and unpredictable way of life. It can be an excuse for uninformed and misguided actions that create more difficulty for the person or community being assisted. For those in solidarity, it can be unfulfilling and dangerous, depriving the assister of their dominance protections.

The incarcerated Wes Moore seemed to have found the wrong kind of solidarity, which it is misguided and leads him down a dangerous path. The people around him influenced him negatively to start dealing drugs, smoking, and drinking. Wes hasn't seen an issue with these things because his friends and community deem it normal. Like its brother Tony, who leads by example, shows Wes that dealing drugs is the only way for him to make money and get the material things he wants.

Then again, there are great friendships of depth that are life-affirming and transforming, created through solidarity that may not solve the central conflict but that enrich people’s lives in other ways, while there are also sometimes no personal enhancements.

While with the author Wes Moore, he is struggling between his two worlds of school and home. At school, he tries to fit in with the rich kids. But when back in his neighborhood, when his friends ask about the school, he lies to seem like he runs it, trying to look cool. He doesn't know where he fits in because he is "too poor for Riverdale and too rich for his neighborhood friends." He tried to bridge his two worlds with a baseball game but this inevitably failed with the two different groups physically fighting never to interact again because they were "too different." Wes tried to bring solidarity into his life with his different friend groups but ended up being even more alone after the fact.

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Forming personal relationships as a consequence of solidarity is full of complexity.

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Is there a main cause of addiction, furthermore, is there a way to prevent it?

Addiction to substances is not a desire, it is a disease. Addiction causes the brain to rely on the substance for functioning as the brain rewires itself. It is a chronic illness that is very difficult to cure. However if the addiction is cured, it is still easy to relapse even years after being without. When someone is addicted to drugs; for example, it causes surges of dopamine to be released. This gives a sense of euphoria. Unfortunately, this causes life without the drug to seem worse and things that used to bring joy (like food, social activities, or sex) have less of an effect.

Addiction can be caused by a multitude of factors. There is no one answer, therefore no one way of solving the issue. However, there are small preventatives that can be taken to possibly steer one in the correct direction. This includes; a person's environment and development. Unfortunately, some people are born more susceptible to addiction because of their genes and biological makeup.

I chose this question because both of the Wes' encountered issues with drugs and alcohol. The author Wes Moore started skipping school and ended up getting caught for using drugs. His life was set up for success. His mother worked hard to try and give him the opportunity of a good life. He did it because of the influence from his friend. The other Wes Moore started taking drugs, selling drugs, and drinking alcohol. This was due to his brother and friends doing it and influencing him. He also had a disadvantage in the aspect that his father had acoholism, making the other Wes more likely to have an addiction as well.

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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease-people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn't work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient's changing needs.

Video: Why are Drugs So Hard to Quit?

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit," causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high. These brain adaptations often lead to the person becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.

Environment. A person's environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person's likelihood of drug use and addiction.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn't a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient's drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.

Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.

Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy activities, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Learn more

For information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:

For more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:

For more information about prevention, visit:

For more information about treatment, visit:

To find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:

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Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Provides an overview of drug use and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug use, why some people become addicted while others don't, and the importance of prevention.

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Does having a good community benefit teenagers?

Young people especially long for an identity since they are so impressionable. Being apart of a community has good mental health effects on humans. However, since others shape the way people act it can have good or bad influence. For example; since LeBron had good friends around him, they convinced him not to join a gang when he was young. Due to their push, LeBron never joined the gang and was able to pursue a serious career in basketball without getting caught in crime. Crime would've ruined his chances in basketball. Environmental factors also have effect on the commuity a kid chooses.

I chose this question because sometimes even being a part of a well-behaved group does not

In the novel the author Wes Moore finds community in playing basketball. The people playing welcome him. Wes feels more included in the Bronx. The other Wes Moore's brother was deep in the drug game and taught him violence. This caused Wes to bring a knife to a fight in a fit of rage. This is what he was taught, this is what was normalized in his family and his neighborhood.

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The effects of community on young people

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But, what happens when a young person becomes an outcast from a community; how does that present in the young person and how can it be healed? Young people can become detached from their communities for a number of reasons.

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Environmental and Solidarity Analyst- Lila

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Environmental and Solidarity Analyst- Lila

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Why, and what effects do men have from hiding their emotions?

I chose this question because many many, in the book and in my life, attempt to mask their emotions. Whenever asked why they don't share their true emotions and ask for help, they always give some response like; "because I'm a guy". I don't understand this though. What about being vulnerable with your feelings is feminine? Why do men continue to pass on this stereotype that they must always stay strong? Even some of the most influential men showed their emotions. For example; Jesus weeped to His Father when He was praying in the garden prior to His death for He was scared of dying. Jesus is seen as the strongest man to EVER live, so what is wrong with asking for help, or crying?

There's a stigma around being vulnerable in the male community. From a young age they are taught they must act a certain way; tough, strong, and masculine. They are told they must hide their emotions in order to achieve that status. As a result, about 1 in 10 men suffer in silence from a mental disorder. Since they conceal their emotions, they are more likely to turn to other methods for relief such as; substance abuse. Men continue this cycle of "manliness" by teaching their children the same stereotype that they must fight alone. The stereotype causes men to struggle more in life. It can have harmful effects such as; lowered self esteem, overreactions, trouble communicating with partners, stress, anxiety, depression, higher heart rate, and substance abuse. There are many communities and support groups offering help to men and encouraging them to speak up about the way they feel.

I feel as if this is why the Kairos Retreat is so successful at NDCL. It allows men to be vulnerable without judgement from others. It is relieving for them to be able to come out about what they're going through and get help from peers and staff.

In the novel, the other Wes Moore is taught by his brother that he must act tough. He is taught to fight back and never let anyone else get the last swing. He is taught how to be a stereotypical man. It is seen through his character, and as the book progresses it is clear the toll his emotion suppression has on him. Wes never had a father and never really spoke about it. He had no one to be vulnerable with. He didn't view the role as important, so when he, himself became a father, he didn't take it seriously. He resorted to cheating and substance abuse. The author Wes Moore does express his emotions in subtle ways. For example; after initially being sent to the military academy he expresses his displeasure with being there and how his mother hurt him by actually sending him away. Also, when Wes' dad died he was able to speak about it with his siblings and with his community, who supported him and his family at the start of their struggles.

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The stigma of "being a man" has been around for generations and instilled into men the way they should behave. This includes hiding their emotions or covering them up with dangerous behaviors. One of the dangerous behaviors they may take part in includes substance use. Substance use can take over and ruin your life, which causes you to want to keep using to suppress the negative feelings associated with using. It becomes an endless cycle of substance use, negative feelings, substance use... Spero Recovery wants to help you break this cycle. We want to teach you how to recognize, understand, and express your emotions.

The Stigma of "Being a Man"

Men have been taught that they need to avoid anything that could be constituted as feminine or girly. If you did happen to partake in something that was, then you would be ridiculed or punished for not being manly enough. This includes things such as showing emotions and seeking help, especially for health-related problems.

This stigma of being a man means that men aren't learning how to recognize and understand what they are feeling, so they are unable to express themselves in a healthy way. Suppressing your emotions constantly can lead to increased stress, anxiety, outbursts, and reckless behavior such as substance use. It can lead to co-occurring mental and physical health conditions that when left untreated can negatively impact your life and wellbeing.

Why Do Men Hide Their Emotions?

Men often hide their emotions due to societal expectations and cultural norms that equate emotional expression with weakness. From a young age, many boys are socialized to believe that showing vulnerability or discussing feelings is not masculine, leading them to suppress their emotions to fit into these traditional gender roles. Additionally, there is often a fear of judgment or rejection, both from peers and from themselves, as expressing emotions can be perceived as losing control. This emotional suppression can be reinforced by media portrayals of stoic, unemotional male figures, creating a cycle where men feel compelled to hide their true feelings to conform to perceived societal standards.

How Can Men Hiding Their Emotions Be Harmful?

Hiding your emotions can cause mental and physical illness. When left untreated these health conditions can negatively impact your life. Some ways that men hiding their emotions can be harmful include:

Increased stress, anxiety, and depression levels.

Greater probability of substance use and substance use disorder (SUD).

Trouble with communication and forming long-term relationships.

Overreactions and outbursts to situations because they don't know how to express themselves.

Financial, social, and relationship problems due to utilizing substance use as a coping mechanism.

Higher heart rate, blood pressure, and pain.

Lowered self-esteem and self-confidence.

The consequences of suppressing your emotions can lead to more negative feelings about your situation and yourself. In turn, you will resort to your unhealthy coping mechanisms to combat them. It is a never-ending cycle unless you decide to stop it. You have to make the decision to go against what has been instilled in you and change your thinking process. It will be hard, but reaching out for help is the first step to bettering your life.

Spero Recovery Can Stop Men From Hiding Their Emotions

We are a residential SUD treatment facility that prides itself on providing effective and affordable care. Through the use of grants and donations, we are able to keep our costs below the national average. This makes us a perfect match for all economic statuses, under and uninsured individuals.

Our recovery programs are based on the ideas of 12-Step programs. They focus on community, abstinence, self-evaluation, and coming to terms that SUD is an uncontrollable mental health illness that you need help to cope with. The goal of our programs is to teach you healthy ways of coping with your SUD, provide a sober community for you to heal in, and build your confidence to stay sober when you enter sober living or back into the world.

Men's Recovery Program

The recovery programs are split between men and women. We understand that there are unique needs to be met for each gender and want to ensure everyone is having their needs met through the program. Our men's recovery program emphasizes overcoming the idea of "being a man" and stops them from hiding their emotions.

Through the use of community and experiential treatment, we work to change your thought processes. Changing the way you think is difficult but necessary to help men stop hiding their emotions. You need to learn that feeling and expressing your feelings is a part of life.

Community

You are put into a sober community setting that promotes support, growth, and reaching long-term sobriety. Being surrounded by others that have gone through similar experiences and are working towards the same goals helps provide motivation and a sense of belonging. There are always unbiased people for you to lean on.

This setting also gives you the chance to see other men expressing themselves and showing vulnerability. Witnessing this can help you feel more comfortable in doing so and teach you that it is ok to feel.

Alumni are brought back to run out experiential treatment sessions. They represent the image of a healthy thriving sober male. You can see that success is attainable, which helps motivate you in the program. It allows them the chance to connect with others on their recovery journey, give back to their community, and find a sense of purpose.

Experiential Treatment

The use of new activities in SUD treatment is called experiential treatment. Our alumni come back to help run sessions such as woodworking, cooking classes, hiking, rock climbing, and meditation.

Meditation is useful because it helps connect the mind and body. You can use it to perform self-evaluations that help you figure out what you are feeling. It can help you work through problems and respond appropriately to them.
Men have been taught that "being a man" means you are not allowed to show emotion or seek out help because it is a sign of weakness. Suppressing your emotions can lead to reckless behavior and mental health illness, like substance use disorder. It can become an endless cycle of substance use to cope with your emotions. This substance use can alter your life, which can lead to feeling more emotions and more substance use. If you feel like you are struggling to break the cycle of using substances to suppress your emotions, reach out to Spero Recovery at (303) 351-7888 for more information today. We understand the difficulty that comes from overturning an idea you've had your entire life.

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The Impact of Men Hiding Their Emotions | Spero Recovery Center

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The stigma of "being a man" has been around for generations. This includes hiding their emotions or covering them up with dangerous behaviors.

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Question: How does racism affect young boys' behavior?

Advances in science are presenting an increasingly clear picture of how significant adversity in the lives of young children can disrupt the development of the brain and other biological systems. People continue to look for differences and claim superiority.

Racism and its effects can lead to chronic stress for children.

After Wes experienced a racial attack, he struggled greatly on how he should handle it. He should handle it how the military school taught him or how his hometown and neighborhood taught him. It shows what could have happened if he had chosen to act according to what his neighborhood taught him based on what the other Wes does. The other Wes handles situations with violence, like how he shoots Ray because he had "no choice but to finish it."

They are more likely to be harshly punished for minor infractions, less likely to be identified as needing special education, and teachers may underestimate their abilities. And when a teacher doesn't believe in you, you are less likely to believe in yourself.

Wes's (the author's) friend Justin was told to stop hanging around Wes at age 12 because Justin had a bright future, and Wes's life wouldn't go anywhere. The teacher had no faith in Wes because of the things he was going through at the time. This could have been detrimental to Wes's education because, based on what Justin was going through, that could have been the tipping point for Wes to stop pursuing school altogether.

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How racism harms children - Harvard Health

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Question: What are the rates for boys to join gangs

In virtually every survey year, law enforcement agencies report a greater percentage of adult (18 and over) gang members compared with juvenile (under 18) gang members.

The most recent figures provided by law enforcement indicate that more than three out of every five gang members are at least 18. In 1990, 50% of gang members were under the age of 18

In the book, Wes (incarcerated) talks of his brother Tony, who at 14 had a fierce reputation in the neighborhood dealing drugs in the hallways of the Murphy Homes since he was 10. Tony was involved in a shoot-out in West Baltimore, and it was deemed Tony's corner.

Some respondents had a positive view of gangs, seeing them as a "family" or a place to "look out for one another." Gangs can offer an alternative support system and a means of survival in communities where traditional social structures have failed.

Wes idolized his brother, so when he was punched, he went home and grabbed a knife to "send a message." Tony wasn't in a gang at this point but from the teachings of his brother, he has the mentality gangs perpetuate, which is focused on power, status, and belonging within the group

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Age of Gang Members by Area Type

The age of gang members is compared across area types in 2011.

Larger cities and suburban counties, which typically have long-standing gang problems, are more likely to report more adult gang members than juvenile gang members.

Conversely, smaller cities and rural counties, whose gang problems are relatively more recent, are more likely to report equal proportions of juvenile and adult gang members.

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National Youth Gang Survey Analysis: Demographics

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The NGC conducted an annual survey of law enforcement agencies to assess the extent of gang problems. This page provides data on gang member demographics.

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What role does mentorship play in solidarity?

Mentoring involves a supportive, caring relationship between an adult and a young person, either established formally through a program or occurring naturally, such as with a neighbor or coach. Formal mentoring relationships may be offered through a school, community, or faith-based program. New data indicate that decades of mentoring progress may be eroding at a time when youth mental health needs are soaring.

Quality mentoring relationships help young people access opportunities and offer support and guidance as they navigate life challenges. Mentors can help close opportunity gaps often observed for youth growing up in poverty or disadvantaged communities by connecting them with new networks, resources, and possibilities that otherwise may not be available.

The research is clear: Relationships play a powerful role in youth development and success. Young people need stable, caring relationships with adults to thrive, and mentors can provide this crucial support. In light of the alarming national youth mental health crisis, mentoring is poised to be a key part of the solution to this public health problem. Studies have found that mentoring during childhood can strengthen mental health.

Benifits: At the heart of it, mentoring helps meet the basic human need of letting young people know they matter and are not alone. Mentoring relationships promoted a strong sense of belonging in youth, an internal asset essential for healthy development. The emotional and practical support that mentors offer has also been linked to positive academic, personal, and professional achievements.

Mentored youth who experienced adversity while growing up were more than twice as likely to volunteer in their community and hold a leadership position in a club or sports team.

Reasoning:

Wes (author) not only had one mentor to look up to, but he also had the support of his family, even if he wasn't around them all the time. He knew his mother was proud of him and supported him from afar. She took a major interest in his life even when he was away at military school. Wes's mentors were the people he looked up to at his military school. He saw how important leadership was and knew how to become a good leader because of his mentors. His support system also helped him get out of trouble. He didn't face his problems entirely alone. When he was being called racial slurs, he was with his friend Dalio. Instead of causing more problems and becoming violent like he would have done earlier in his life, Wes decided to walk away, showing the contrast in who he was before military school and who he is now becoming.

Wes (incarcerated) didn't have any good role models or mentors to look up to. He was in and out of juvenile detention centers before he eventually dropped out of high school. He then goes to live with his aunt, who also doesn't have much of an involvement in his life. This is when he becomes a full-time drug dealer. He doesn't have anyone to rely on for consistent help and support, so he becomes a drug dealer as his last resort. He is caring for himself and trying to stay afloat when he gets arrested by an undercover cop for dealing drugs. He faced this conflict all alone, with no positive mentor or friend to help him out of his situation. This is completely different from Wes (author) because he has a friend to support him while facing his tough situation, while Wes (incarcerated) is left all alone to face his decisions.

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National Mentoring Month in January is an opportunity to highlight the critical role that mentors play in the lives of youth and the extent to which young people have access to mentors in America. Unfortunately, new data indicate that decades of mentoring progress may be eroding at a time when youth mental health needs are soaring.

What Is Mentoring and Why Does It Matter?

Mentoring involves a supportive, caring relationship between an adult and a young person, either established formally through a program or occurring naturally such as with a neighbor or coach. Formal mentoring relationships may be offered through a school‑, community- or faith-based program. These typically match an adult with a youth and create a structured mentoring experience with organized meetings and activities. Whether established formally or informally, quality mentoring relationships help young people access opportunities and offer support and guidance as they navigate life challenges. Mentors can help close opportunity gaps often observed for youth growing up in poverty or in disadvantaged communities by connecting them with new networks, resources and possibilities that otherwise may not be available.

The research is clear: Relationships play a powerful role in youth development and success. Young people need stable, caring relationships with adults in order to thrive, and mentors can provide this crucial support. In light of the alarming national youth mental health crisis, mentoring is poised to be a key part of the solution to this public health problem. Studies have found that mentoring during childhood can strengthen mental health.

How Is Youth Access to Mentors Changing?

While mentoring relationships have become more common in the last 30 years, new data show a decline in the prevalence of mentoring. A 2023 national study led by MENTOR found that the share of youth ages 18 to 21 who report having had a mentor while growing up dropped six percentage points over the past decade, . Reports of having a naturally occurring mentor, rather than a program-provided one, dropped by 13 percentage points. young adults say they grew up without the support of any mentor.

The decline is at least partially explained by the pandemic, which hindered youth access to mentors for long periods of time by closing mentoring programs, schools, after-school and sports programs, community events and other activities where youth could encounter mentors. Extended family gatherings stopped for a period as well. Experts also point to the pandemic's economic crisis and increasing socioeconomic inequality as other possible causes of the decline, recognizing that adults who are financially struggling may not have the time or resources to serve as volunteer mentors.

Access to Mentors Is Inequitable

Across the nation, 86% of children ages 6 to 17 have at least one adult mentor in their school, neighborhood or community who provides advice or guidance, according to the 2022 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). However, access to mentors varies by socioeconomic status, household language, where children grow up and other factors.

By income level: Children and youth from lower-income households are less likely to have mentors than those from more affluent households, a reality that the NSCH and other studies consistently demonstrate. For instance, the NSCH found that the share of children ages 6 to 17 who had a mentor increased with income level as follows:

77% of kids living below the federal poverty level (which was $29,678 for a family of two adults and two children in 2022);

82% of kids between 100% to 199% of the poverty level;

88% of kids between 200% to 399% of the poverty level; and

92% of kids living at or above 400% of the poverty level.

By parental education level: Children's access to mentors also differs greatly by parental education level, with mentors available for about two-thirds of kids ages 6 to 17 whose parents have less than a high school education compared to 91% of kids whose parents have a college degree or higher, according to 2022 data.

By language: Children with a primary household language other than English are much less likely to have the support of a mentor, at for children ages 6 to 17 in households with English as a primary language in 2022.

For children of immigrants: Similarly, children living with a parent born outside of the U.S. had a mentor kids of U.S.-born parents.

Looking across the country in 2021-2022, youth access to mentors varied widely by state, ranging from about three-fourths (76%) of Nevada teens ages 14 to 17 to nearly all teens (96%) in North Dakota and Montana, according to NSCH data on the KIDS COUNT ® Data Center.

The , noted above, affirms several of these findings regarding mentoring inequities and provides an in-depth look at related trends in America. Among the study's insights: Measuring mentoring prevalence as a simple dichotomy - having or not having a mentor - may not be nuanced enough. Realistically, most mentoring relationships do not last the entire duration of childhood and having a mentor at one point does not mean that young people had all of their mentoring needs met. In fact, the study found:

Two-thirds of U.S. young adults ages 18 to 21 said there were times growing up when they did not have a mentor but wished they had one for guidance and support.

Unmet mentoring needs were higher for individuals, youth in lower-income households and people of color.

Other key findings from the 2023 study include:

Nationwide, about 1.8 million young adults ages 18 to 24 ​"not only didn't have a mentor but couldn't nominate anyone that they felt was a meaningful person" in their lives.

Youth living in rural areas or in poverty were less likely to have mentors than those in non-rural areas or higher income households.

Many of these young people said they didn't know how to find a mentor or didn't think mentors were available to them.

The Benefits of Mentoring

At the heart of it, mentoring helps meet the basic human need of letting young people know they matter and are not alone. Mentoring relationships promoted a strong sense of belonging in youth - an internal asset essential for healthy development, according to the . The emotional and practical support that mentors offer has also been linked to positive academic, personal and professional achievements. For example, the study reported:

[Mentored] youth who experienced adversity while growing up were more than twice as likely to volunteer in their community and hold a leadership position in a club or sports team.

74% of those who had a meaningful mentor say that person contributed significantly to their later success in life.

85% of young people with a mentor say this key relationship has helped them with issues related to school and their education.

58% percent of young people say their mentor has supported their mental health.

60% of those under 40 years old are still drawing advice from their childhood mentors.

Recommendations for Action

MENTOR - along with public and private sector leaders and service providers - has been building a mentoring movement in the United States for more than 30 years. Based on decades of research, field capacity building, policy work, advocacy and public education, MENTOR and its partners outlined several recommended next steps in their recent study:

Raise awareness among youth and families about the value of mentoring and how to maximize opportunities around them, especially in areas with greater needs such as rural and low-income communities.

Increase economic stability for American households. The pandemic magnified existing socioeconomic inequities, placing further strain on low-income households and youth. Mental health has also worsened for youth at a time when they report less support from adults. Household stability is a necessary precursor for adults to have the time and ability to invest in being long-term volunteer mentors.

Promote a ​"mentoring mindset" in adults across all sectors - e.g. education, health, child welfare, justice and immigration - that work with youth. Any adult who works with or alongside youth can be trained to be a mentor, learning how to effectively support youth and foster positive youth relationships.

Place greater emphasis on supporting youth identity development and feelings of belonging through mentoring relationships. Across four generations of individuals who reported having mentors in the 2023 study, two of the most meaningful forms of support were nurturing feelings of belonging and supporting identity development.

Continue to identify and reach young people who are least likely to have mentors or meaningful relationships, such as the groups identified above.

During National Mentoring Month and beyond, everyone can make a difference for youth, including by becoming a mentor (formally or informally), educating oneself or others, engaging in advocacy, supporting mentoring programs and more.

Mentoring Resources From Casey and Its Partners
Sign up for Casey Foundation newsletters to get the latest data, reports and resources

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January is National Mentoring Month. Get the latest statistics on mentoring and its powerful benefits to youth.

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What environmental factors cause the continuation of the cycle of crime?

The pattern of offenders continuing to commit crimes is known as recidivism. It is not just a problem for the individual offender but for communities and society at large. The World Population Review estimates that as many as 17% of criminals in Illinois return to jail within one year of their release and 38.5% within three years.

Influential Factors:

1. Many offenders lack the necessary education or vocational skills to secure stable employment. Without job opportunities, they may find supporting themselves and their families challenging, leading them back to criminal activities to make ends meet.

2. Substance abuse often plays a significant role in criminal behavior. Experts estimate that a staggering 85% of people in prison in the United States struggle with drug addiction. Those struggling with addiction may resort to criminal activities to support their habit. If these underlying addiction issues are not addressed, the cycle of crime can continue.

3. Rehabilitation programs that provide support, therapy, and skills training are vital for helping offenders reintegrate into society. Unfortunately, not all offenders have access to these programs, or the programs themselves may be inadequate. This lack of support can leave offenders ill-equipped to make positive changes in their lives.

4. Mental health conditions can be both a cause and a consequence of criminal behavior. Without proper diagnosis, treatment, and support, mental health problems can continue to drive a person towards criminal activity.

5. The influence of family and social networks can be powerful. Convicted offenders who return to the same environment that contributed to their criminal behavior may find it difficult to break free from negative influences. Family or peer pressure may push them back into criminal activities.

6. When individuals find themselves trapped in poverty, they may see crime as the only viable way to escape their circumstances. Convicted offenders continue to commit crimes for many reasons deeply rooted in social, economic, psychological, and environmental factors. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that not only focuses on punishment but also emphasizes ways to give individuals the tools and opportunities they need to break the cycle of crime.

Reasoning:

Wes (incarcerated) was around violence and crime because of Tony, so when he was arrested for attempted murder early in his life, that unknowingly set the tone for the rest of his life. He was going through the cycle of recidivism from then on. He recieved some support was when earning his GED through Job Corp but then the support ended when he graduated which lead him back to dealing drugs and left him completly alone.

Wes (author) also grew up in poverty and around an unsafe neighbohood, the difference is that he also had a support system that was highly involved and invested in his life. They made sure he knew that crime is never an option and that violence is never nessassary in order to get the life he wants. He also had job oppurtunities through the military school and was shown that he had options and choices in life despite his past actions.

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Question: How does the lack of solidarity after rehabilitation programs affect continued growth?

Recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts in criminal justice. It refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime.

Wes Moore (the other) experienced recidivism when he returned home after Laurel Job corp. Laurel only provided him with low-income and unstable jobs.. He was feeling hopeless and alone so he went back to what he always did, drug dealing to have a higher income to provide for his family. This was becasue of the lack of support and solidarity the job corp provided Wes after he was back in his enviorment.

Recidivism is an important concept when considering the core criminal justice topics of incapacitation, specific deterrence, rehabilitation, and desistance.

Incapacitation refers to the effect of a sanction that prevents people from committing crime in the community through removal, often achieved by placing someone in jail, prison, or other custodial environment.

Specific deterrence is the theoretical concept that experiencing a sanction may discourage people from committing further crime.

Rehabilitation refers to the extent to which a program is associated with the ability to reduce crime and improve lives by addressing criminogenic risks and needs.

Desistance is the process of individuals ceasing engagement in criminal activities.

However, Wes Moore (the author) does not experience recidivism after leavong the military acadamy for multipe reasons. It is a longer and more commited program for the student. Instead of a couple months, the military school because the studenst primary education sometimes all the way through college. Most importantly the connected Wes made in the acadamy followed him long after his graduation. Specifically with Paul White, the man that wes credites his adimition into John Hoppkins, saying "for the rest of us—those who snuck in despite coming from the margins—the mission has to be to pull up others behind us. That's what Paul White did for me, and it changed my life" (Moore 161). This proving the succsess rate a person can have with continuited solidarity through their life

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Recidivism is measured by criminal acts that resulted in rearrest, reconviction or return to prison with or without a new sentence during a three-year period following the person's release.

Recidivism research is embedded throughout NIJ-sponsored research in sentencing, corrections and policy intervention evaluations. Many NIJ-funded studies of community supervision depend on recidivism measurement to inform probation and parole policy.

Recidivism is an important feature when considering the core criminal justice topics of incapacitation, specific deterrence and rehabilitation.

Incapacitation refers to the effect of a sanction to stop people from committing crime by removing them from the community.

Specific deterrence is the terminology used to denote whether a sanction stops people from committing further crime, once the sanction has been imposed or completed.

Rehabilitation refers to the extent to which a program is implicated in the reduction of crime by "repairing" the individual in some way by addressing his or her needs or deficits.

An important connection exists between the concept of recidivism and the growing body of research on criminal desistance. Desistance refers to the process by which a person arrives at a permanent state of nonoffending. In effect, an individual released from prison will either recidivate or desist. To the extent that interventions and sanctions affect the process of desistance, the research overlaps.

Evaluating prisons. Recidivism has also been implicated in the performance of prisons and has been used to study the difference between the effectiveness of privately and publicly managed prisons.

More about measuring recidivism.

On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to recidivism.

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Recidivism is measured by criminal acts that resulted in rearrest, reconviction or return to prison with or without a new sentence during a three-year period following the person's release. Recidivism research is embedded throughout NIJ-sponsored research in sentencing, corrections and policy intervention evaluations.