By Marcela Cartagena

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Memories of a deadly 1997-1998 school year have many parents facing new fears about sending their children to school, but the solution to the violence may rest on the adults.

According to information posted on the Internet by the Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education, nearly 1 million students took guns to school in the 1997 academic year.

"Sometimes children bring guns to school because they think it is a status symbol," said Dr. Louise Davis, child development and family specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service. "Many times, kids who have guns feel a sense of power and it is an opportunity for them to show off to their peers."

Davis said sometimes violent children are the result of their environment. Parents, teachers and the media play an important role in children's behavior.

"Much behavior is learned at home," Davis said. "Since children watch everything their parents do, parents should be cautious of their behavior in front of their children."

If parents or other adults are screaming and hitting each other, children will likely do the same thing, she said. Parents' words and actions become part of their kids culture.

"Parents need to teach their kids that anger and frustration should be talked through, not handled with a gun. Learning how to solve inner conflicts begins at home," Davis said.

Parents also should be aware of who their children' spend time with, what they watch on television and at the movies, and the kind of video games they play.

However, parents are not the only ones responsible for school violence. Davis said the media also plays an important role on children's behavior.

"Media violence is everywhere -- television, late night movies, video games and music. Children are constantly bombarded with media violence," Davis said.

Although many parents find it difficult to keep their children from watching violent shows, Davis said it is the parent's duty to teach their kids to think critically about what they watch and to understand right from wrong.

The responsibility for children's behavior also falls on teachers and principals. Davis said they should keep their eyes open, pay attention to threats and take violent actions seriously.

"Teachers and parents have to remember that adolescents are going through drastic hormonal and emotional changes in their lives, and therefore they need special attention," Davis said.