Crime and violence in schools: Case of Eskişehir

In this study we emphasize the factors that affecting the behavior of crime and violence of the high school students (school, family, circle of friends, socio-economic status and mass media). It is evaluated by using quantitative method and questionnaire. Furthermore, in order to avoid the limitations of the quantitative method, the study was supported by interviews and open-ended questions. Moreover, some school administrators and teachers were interviewed face-to-face interviews about youth violence. Data were collected from 565 high school students, resident in Eskişehir. In the analyses of quantitative data, a statistical package program, SPSS 16.0, were used. Quantitative data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and correlation. The findings suggest that, media violence, negative peer group influence, low school engagement or educational aspirations, lack of involvement in school activities and poor use of leasure time (such as spending most of their leisure time watching TV or videos) and familial factors, such as poor parent-child communication, low parental monitoring and family support increase the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in youth. Key Words: Violence, Crime, Juvenile Delinquency, Youth Violence