The challenge
Split-second decisions in tense moments were driving youth violence in Chicago.
The case
Becoming a Man, run by the nonprofit Youth Guidance in Chicago public schools, brings small groups of teenage boys together weekly for sessions based on cognitive behavioral therapy, helping them recognize automatic reactions in high-stakes moments. In randomized trials, participation reduced violent-crime arrests by roughly 45–50% during the program and improved school engagement.
Why it worked
Teaching young people to pause before acting addressed a real cause of violence: split-second decisions in tense situations. Effects on arrests faded after the program ended, which suggests ongoing support matters.
Sources
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