The recent spate of violent altercations involving young teens, with fatal outcomes, calls for a critical examination of the social and emotional support systems provided to children. In the past week, two young lives have been tragically lost in separate stabbing incidents involving teenagers. These events have not only shocked the communities involved, but have raised urgent concerns about the pattern of unresolved conflict, heightened aggression, and unchecked anger among young people. Addressing these issues goes beyond police investigations and legal ramifications, and calls for systemic change starting in schools.
The case of 18-year-old Dowancee Demonick, who was fatally stabbed in a dispute with a 15-year-old in Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, is just one incident in an alarming trend. According to initial reports, their confrontation was rooted in a longstanding disagreement that spiralled out of control. The altercation turned fatal when the suspect allegedly used a pair of scissors to stab Demonick multiple times, ending the conflict in tragedy. Just days earlier, a similar fatality unfolded in another community when 13-year-old Kareem Durant was fatally stabbed by an 11-year-old during a quarrel that also escalated into violence.
These incidents reflect the need for interventions that address the roots of youth aggression, as the physical altercations that follow disputes reveal the volatility underlying many young people’s responses to conflict. Emotional regulation, conflict de-escalation, and anger management skills are noticeably lacking among young people. Schools can play a critical role in equipping students with the emotional tools they need to process their feelings and manage anger effectively, thus potentially averting such violent outcomes.
Anger management courses, incorporated as part of the school curriculum, could teach students to recognize and address their anger before it intensifies. This approach emphasizes self-awareness, helping youths to identify triggers, understand emotional responses, and develop healthy outlets for frustration and conflict resolution. Alongside anger management, peer mediation programmes could foster a culture wherein disagreements are managed constructively, allowing young people to handle disputes in non-violent ways. These interventions can be transformative, reducing the chances of impulsive decisions made in anger.
Some may argue that it is the responsibility of parents to instill these values in their offspring; and indeed, parental involvement is essential. However, given the complex challenges modern youths face, the guidance of both schools and families is crucial. For many, school is a place of learning beyond academics — a space where they build social skills and encounter various perspectives. Incorporating anger management training and conflict-resolution practices within school programmes would not only reduce violent behaviours, but would also encourage young people to develop empathy, patience, and resilience.
While police continue their investigations and families mourn these tragic losses, as a society, everyone must work toward long-term strategies that prevent violence. Offering anger management courses and emotional support to our youths can help reduce violence, break cycles of retaliation, and ultimately protect lives. The presence of these resources in schools could have provided a constructive outlet, allowing them to resolve their differences without resorting to violence.
Our children deserve environments that support them in becoming emotionally mature, capable of managing their impulses and resolving conflicts peacefully. By including and prioritizing anger management education and conflict-resolution programmes in schools, the groundwork can be laid for safer communities.
