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Tafkam Hokie
Joined: 10/07/1999
Posts: 40,227
Likes: 21,984
Tafkam Hokie
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I'm not even sure that is true

Hard to find stats for in-school homicides, but the homicide rate of those under 18 is way down compared to it's peak in the 80's and early 90's. Under-18 homicides peaked at 2880 in 1993, but numbered around 1300-1600 from 2000 to 2019. They did jump up to 2250 during Covid, but have been falling each year since. And those are absolute numbers of homicides. That doesn't account for the 20% rise in population of under-18's in the country since the 80's. The specific phenomena of in-school shootings is absolutely a new thing that wasn't a threat in anyone's mind before the Columbine shooting in 1999. That is a real, albeit extremely rare despite the media's best efforts to tell you otherwise, risk kids of yesteryear never had to face. But your overall chances of being murdered before your 18th birthday are still way lower than they were 40 years go.
Posted: 05/28/2026 at 02:38 PM ET
(In response to this post by UTPr0sim)

Thread Replies (32)

Full Thread →
Hahaha....all you good parents ruined your kids.**
JoesterVT • 05/27/26 06:07 PM ET
Youngest of 6, born in 1963....parents didn't sweat anything by the time I
BWS • 05/28/26 12:16 PM ET
I make that joke often. I don't have the time or willingness to helicopter
BG Hokie • 05/28/26 11:12 AM ET
I would send to the wife but I want to enjoy the relative peace and quiet
jdkhokie • 05/28/26 09:30 AM ET
One of the most glaring differences is how many teens are delaying getting
Tuckahokie • 05/28/26 06:50 AM ET
Yeah, what is the deal with that? A reluctance to have responsibility and
BG Hokie • 05/28/26 11:14 AM ET
Back then, a kids social life required meeting up with friends face-to-face
Tafkam Hokie • 05/28/26 02:19 PM ET
Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times,
chemhokie • 05/27/26 10:01 PM ET
And as my Mom used to tell my sisters, “A hard man is good to find.”**
BusLoadaBozos • 05/28/26 08:00 AM ET
I was having that very discussion with a friend last night.
MP4VT2004 • 05/27/26 06:53 PM ET
I very much assume it's a stretch to think 2026 is more dangerous than the
BG Hokie • 05/28/26 11:47 AM ET
I showed that to my wife and "safety" was the first thing we saw. Totally
Coach McGuirk • 05/27/26 07:37 PM ET
What is the lack of safety you're noting? **
BG Hokie • 05/28/26 11:48 AM ET
Lack of safety & neighborhood Karen reporting you to child services too....
Vtskier1 • 05/27/26 09:35 PM ET
Bat link for you **
Brown Water • 05/27/26 08:59 PM ET
Is there any data that "America in 2026" is less safe for kids?
JoesterVT • 05/27/26 07:04 PM ET
The opposite. I can't link the studies, but I've seen a lot of articles
Late 80s Hokie • 05/28/26 09:23 AM ET
That was my thinking as well. I think our awareness of everything awful
Tafkam Hokie • 05/28/26 10:04 AM ET
100%
Beerman • 05/28/26 10:57 AM ET
Kids are probably "safer" in the suburbs, but its really hard for them to
PWR2LZ • 05/27/26 09:00 PM ET
Ironically, NYC kids, on average, are given more freedom to take the subway
BG Hokie • 05/28/26 11:54 AM ET
Absolutely: I grew up in Astoria, Queens in the ‘70s & my parents let me
PWR2LZ • 05/28/26 12:41 PM ET
Certainly many more are killed in school then when I went...**
UTPr0sim • 05/27/26 08:07 PM ET
I'm not even sure that is true ◄
Tafkam Hokie • 05/28/26 02:38 PM ET
Yes. Just recall kids used to play outside until dark. Free range No more**
ColoVT82 • 05/27/26 07:05 PM ET
I'm not sure that's generally true, and not sure that would be evidence
JoesterVT • 05/27/26 07:09 PM ET
It was definitely less safe back then. Ignorance was bliss. **
Stork • 05/27/26 07:49 PM ET
I kinda think so too, all things considered
JoesterVT • 05/27/26 07:52 PM ET
The "free range" kids definitely thrive.
MP4VT2004 • 05/27/26 08:26 PM ET
Well, one point of evidence, other than the "feeling" things aren't safe is
Coach McGuirk • 05/27/26 07:40 PM ET
That would be evidence that perception has changed...or that...
JoesterVT • 05/27/26 07:48 PM ET
You are right. I don't have any evidence. But "feelings" are good enough,
Coach McGuirk • 05/27/26 07:52 PM ET
I always thought you were a dude. What sport do you coach, ma'am?
BG Hokie • 05/28/26 11:50 AM ET