Customer Reviews

Jack & Jill, Why They Kill: Saving Our Children, Saving Ourselves

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the most eye-opening (and sobering) aspects of this powerful book is the proof that teen killers and victims are not always "somebody else's kids." Dr. Shaw makes it painfully clear that all kinds of "average" families are touched every day by adolescent violence. We have to do something about this before it's too late. The author's advice is down-to-earth, practical, and meaningful -- you don't have to be a Super Parent to be able to follow his plan. And any parent who takes this book to heart will not only raise a happier and healthier child, but gain immense satisfaction from becoming the best parent possible. Lives are literally at stake here. I hope every parent of kids at risk will read this book and adopt its program before it's too late. For that matter, I think EVERY parent who cares about the safety and emotional well-being of his or her children should read this book. After all, parenting is the most important responsibility and opportunity we have in this life.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Dr. Shaw about his research for Jack & Jill, Why They Kill and I can tell you, he is a very honest and genuine man. When I first saw the book I wasn't interested at all in reading about "kids killing kids", but I did read it, and the more I did, the more I realized that the information provided for parents was unequalled!! Now, I'm a great MOM! I've raised 5, yes FIVE, children and they are all great people!! However, the insight that Dr. Shaw shares is so valuable I would use it all if I could start the children raising process all over again. But actually, I can! I intend to use his suggestions with my grandkids as soon as they are old enough to talk!!!

I was recently appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court, Juvenile Division. On July 3, 2000 I presided over my first case involving a child who allegedly killed another. I can't describe the utter despair I felt reviewing the case, and the thoughts that gnawed at me --- could this tragedy have been prevented? I've been almost obsessive, trying to learn more about why kids commit crimes, why they kill, which led me to Dr. Shaw's book. The book is comprised of information obtained by Dr. Shaw over years of interviews, and reinterviews of kids who are incarcerated at the California Youth Authority - the equivalent of state prison for minors who commit the most heinous crimes. Of the many resources I've reviewed, I've found Dr. Shaw's book the MOST helpful. Many of the other pieces I've reviewed I've found too scholarly, too academic, too removed from what is going on with these kids. Dr. Shaw knows these kids and these families, having worked with this population for many years. I bought a copy of Dr. Shaw's book and gave a copy of it to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, Juvenile Division. There is an alarming increase in violent crime in Los Angeles County, much of it reportedly due to gang activity. The juvenile court has been approached by law enforcement, and other members of the community to act. I know the information in Dr. Shaw's book contains is invaluable as we try to set in place an early intervention court, designed to minimize the kids who turn to criminal behavior. Dr. Shaw's book gives us direction, and hope. It's mandatory reading for anyone who cares about our kids.

Jack & Jill Why They Kill should be required reading for all school personnel, anyone working in the juvenile justice field and especially all parents.This book will hold your attention from the time you open the cover until the time you finish the last word in the book! Dr. Shaw is a visionary in the field and provides the answers for saving our children, saving ourselves.

In elementary school I remember reading, "See Dick run. See Jane run," now our children are running for a different reason. They are no longer running to play with Spot--they are running for their lives. The media exploits these events as a means of bolstering their ratings, but no one has offered any constructive answers or alternatives, until now. Jack and Jill Why They Kill is not only a profoundly revealing book about why children murder, but it is also a guide. Mr. Shaw knows his stuff and writes about it with an even hand along with some great advice for all parents.

Where was this book when I was a KID! I don't think my parents read anything to shape me. BUT I CAN! I found myself reading it as the little girl who could relate to certain situations. I don't have any children, YET, But I do take care of one child, me, yes,.. 35 year-old me. This book is helping me heal. I am overwhelmed at the intimacy of this book. The real life stories, the degree to which Dr. Shaw takes us into the lives of these kids, gives us their situation, then giving us the alternatives. As a standup comedian, I have a forum and responsibility to entertain and to educate. Dr. Shaw's research has peeked my interest. This is not a book that just sits on the shelf, this is an opportunity for me to enlighten a captive audience about some real problems with todays kids and some real solutions they should consider. I like to make people laugh, but think, as well: Without meaning to, the Media has done an excellent job of using Columbine to teach children at other schools-- how to kill each other. What's next, insisting that schools stop teaching dodge-ball, and start teaching dodge-bullet...?

An seminal work of original research and scholarship, Jack & Jill: Why They Kill: Saving Our Children, Saving Ourselves is based on personal interviews by James Show with more than 100 children incarcerated for killing other children. Shaw explores the kid's rationales underlying their homicidal behaviors, then offers practical, insightful advice on how to save the children of today from resorting to lethal violence to settle their disputes, resolve personal conflicts, and establish themselves with peers. Jack & Jill: Why They Kill is essential and critically important reading for parents, juvenile justice system personnel, social workers, community center and youth group volunteers, as well as policy makers, school administrators and faculty, as well as anyone with a responsibility for the youth of their community.

I found this book to be fascinating. So educational! One can find many useful hints on child rearing and how to deal with difficult children. Some really good examples of extremely disturbed children. Excellent resource for parents, teachers and people who deal with children.

This timely and sobering book faces the growing phenomena of rage among children and the tragic results when they explode and kill others. The youth interviewed by the author shared common perceptions. They felt alienated, isolated, not loved, were bullied at home by a parent, received no parental support with their anger management and had easy access to drugs and guns. They tell the author what they think is needed in todays society to stop the rage. The author James Shaw writes that parents have to get back into the "drivers seat". Without parental control of children, schools are fighting a losing battle. Solutions are suggested. If you don't want to pick up another newspaper and read another story about a child shooting and killing classmates at school in retributive anger- read this book. It is time to listen to the kids.

Well, I have to say from reading that the author has the right ideas about youth violence but I didn't think that the book went in depth about the topic as much as it should have.

The main part of why I didn't like this book that much is the foward that was written by Dawn Anna(mother of Columbine victim Lauren Townsend). I thought that the foward that she wrote was very incredulious and, with the fact that she is one of the people that are suing the parents of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, somewhat two-faced.

I thought that this was a very underpar book and I would not recomment it.