Recent research has shown that the rate of children's relationship with violence is increasing. In fact, the article Children and Violence states that up to 10 million children per year may witness or experience violence in their homes, schools, or communities across the United States. Childhood exposure to violence has a significant impact on children's development, affecting their emotional growth, cognitive development, physical health, and academic performance. This increase in children's exposure to violence suggests that more children are at risk than previously thought. Has the definition of violence changed or is society no longer taking into account the impact of ferocity on children? Merriam-Webster defines violence as “the exercise of physical force to injure or abuse [oneself or another].” There are many points of view as to why children are violent. Frieman claims that children suffering from conduct disorder [a monotonous, relentless pattern of ways in which the basic rights of others or appropriate community norms are violated] would have psychological disorders that manifest as violent behavior. However, another view that would contribute to violence among children is that these children will live in a violent society and they will generally respond to violence with violence; thus, learning to adapt in a violent environment (Frieman 145). For many people, the media is another contributing factor to the increase in child abuse. Examples of violence that can affect children include car accidents, natural disasters, serious medical treatment, community/domestic violence, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, sudden death/loss, and crime. Childhood violence includes a variety of behaviors such as threats...... middle of paper ...... Web. November 1, 2011. http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/complextrauma.htmlFrieman, Barry, B. What Teachers Need to Know About Children at Risk. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., 2001. Print. Groves, Betsy, M. “Mental Health Services for Children Witnessing Domestic Violence.” At Health, Inc., nd Web. November 1, 2011. http://www.athealth.com/Practitioner/ceduc/dv_children.htmlLevine, Diane, E. “Beyond Banning War and Superhero Games: Meeting the Needs of Children in times of violence. » National Association for the Education of Young Children Inc., nd Web. November 10, 2011. “Violence in the media and children. » Adults and children together against violence. American Psychological Association Inc., nd Web. November 1, 2011. http://actagainstviolence.apa.org/mediaviolence/index.html “Violence”. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated 2004.Print