Unfortunately, school shootings are becoming part of the fabric of our lives. For me the issue isn’t that so many of these crimes involve the use of guns because they could just as well involve the use of knives, high explosives or baseball bats. The real cause for concern is that violence in our schools is occurring at all. I think that we have to take an honest look at what is occurring in our society that encourages these shootings.

Prior to the Columbine School shooting of 1999 any discussion of school violence would have been limited to a fight on the playground or in the locker room. When I was in school in the 1950s and ’60s the only reason for feeling insecure was not being prepared for a test or not having a paper ready.

Some claim the rise of violent movies and videogames are a root cause of the problem. Graphic violence in games and movies do have an anesthetizing effect on some minds. In those venues, violence becomes a game without real consequences for game players or movie viewers. They have the rush provided by violent action without the maiming and death that comes from real violence. Others claim that the rise of bullying, cyber or otherwise, leading to deep animosity towards others is a cause behind these shootings. Perhaps they are.

Whatever the cause, many believe that changes in society, the family, and the weakening of what once constituted our moral and spiritual anchors have led to individuals who feel isolated from society and harbor feelings of resentment toward it.

I have been giving this issue a lot of thought in recent weeks. I’ve tried to go beyond the usual talk of arming teachers, developing maximum security schools, universal background checks, and even the mental health issues involved. Basically, I’ve tried to get a handle on what is going on in our society that perhaps are contributing factors.

I don’t think our families are as cohesive as they once were. The single-parent family is common. Whatever the causes for this, experts agree that children in two parent families do better in school and life than those in single parent families. Families where both parents work is the norm today. This may be necessary in some cases but is it always as necessary as some think it is? Too often we get caught up in having the big house with two new cars in the garage which often does require that both parents work but is that life style absolutely necessary? Coming home to a parent after school gives children a sense of security.

Many parents involve their children in a host of activities. It’s common for parents to rush home from work and load children in the family car and whisk them to soccer, Little League, or swimming depending on the season along with dance, music lessons, or theater groups. I am not against after school activities but I think that they have to be approached in moderation keeping in mind they take away from family time.

Teenagers often see spending time with family in the evening as wasted time. However, time spent around the dinner table allows parents and children to know each other better and builds family cohesiveness. It also allows parents to model for their children what being a spouse and parent means.

Back in the days when our children were still at home, dinner time was when we sat down and had a meal, discussed family issues, school, politics and a host of other things. It could be contentious and loud at times but was a healthy experience for all. Today meals are eaten on the fly and in many cases social media may have replaced family discussions

Schools now attempt to play a role in our children’s’ moral development. Is this really something that we want? I have my doubts. The job of schools should be to educate children so that they can be productive members of society only. Do we really want our children to be taught what constitutes a worthwhile and moral life by teachers who we really do not know teaching from a curriculum designed by bureaucrats in Albany or Washington? I hope not.

As I said, I’m at a loss to explain the rise in gun violence in our schools. I am also at a loss on how to put an end to it. It’s easy to blame guns but guns have been a part of American life for more than 300 years. School shootings began occurring only 20 years ago. The question we need to answer honestly is why.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com