What do parents who live in high crime neighborhoods tell their children about fighting?

Parenting has been identified as a fundamental factor in the prevention of youth fighting. Unlike much of the previous research utilizing youth perceptions of parents, this research examined what parents' tell their children about fighting. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 parents (63% mothers and 37% other relation) of early adolescent African-American youth who live in poor high violent neighborhoods in Baltimore, MD. Transcript data of interviews were analyzed using qualitative software (HyperRESEARCH 2.8) to code recurring themes. Participating parents had a mean age of 38, 42% of whom were never married and 79% of whom had at least completed high school. Findings indicated that parents often talk with their children about violence and highlight the complex message that these parents must convey to their child about fighting. Parents noted the following concerns: fighting and violence are threats to their child safety; they do not wanting their child to fight or witness fights; they do not want their child initiating fights; however they want their child protect themselves if necessary. Parents reported telling their children: not to fight; to find non-violent problem solving strategies; and to fight back in self defense. Study outcomes revealed that while parents do not condone fighting, they concede that in some instances fighting may be necessary protection. Research is needed to understand this uniquely complex message and to help parent to reduce the threat of violence that disproportionately affects their children.