Accurate Quote by Bill Dedman
“There is no accurate or useful 'profile' of students who engage in targeted school violence. Some come from good homes, some from bad. Some have good grades, some bad.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “School Violence: No Simple Profile”, 2019
Violence in schools cannot be predicted by a single demographic; many backgrounds and grades are represented.
In simple terms: School violence has no single profile.
Avoid stereotypes; focus on individual behavior.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- school administration
- parenting
- policy making
- mental health interventions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can schools identify at‑risk students without stereotyping?
- What support systems reduce violence risk?
Profiles may overlook underlying causes like mental health or social environment.