(GARDNER)–Dr. James Garbarino, internationally recognized expert in child violence issues and author of the acclaimed book Lost Boys: Understanding Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We can Save Them? will speak at the forum "A Dangerous World: Addressing the Epidemic of Youth Violence," Thurs., Mar. 7, from 5:30- p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Mount Wachusett Community College Theatre. Garbarino is director of the Cornell University Family Life Development Center.

The event, part of the college’s civic engagement initiative, is co-sponsored by the Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation, the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Massachusetts Campus Compact.

The college, in partnership with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and their member organizations, held a series of forums with over 30 community groups to discuss community needs in the wake of the events of September 11^th. The overwhelming consensus of these groups was that there was a need for community education on topics including: impact of terrorism; mental health issues; the emotional impact of 9-11 and the impact of violence on communities.

The college has already offered a series of forums on terrorism and has sponsored a wide variety of service learning projects involving community service by its students as part of its civic engagement initiative.

Garbarino is the author or editor of sixteen books and has been honored by groups such as the American Psychological Association, the American Humane Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics for his work on behalf of abused and neglected children. In addition to authoring The Psychologically Battered Child, Dr. Garbarino has written a booklet on emotional abuse distributed by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, and has co-authored Assault on the Psyche, a video program that examines psychological maltreatment.

Books by Dr. James Garbarino include:

Lost Boys: Understanding Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We can Save Them?

After more than a decade of relentless increase in the urban war zones of large cities, violence by young boys and adolescents is on the rise in our suburbs, small towns and rural communities. Twenty-five years as a psychologist working in the trenches with such children has convinced James Garbarino that boys everywhere really are angrier and more violent than ever before. In light of the recent school-based shootings, it’s now clear that no matter where we live or how hard we try as parents, chances are our children are going to school with troubled boys capable of getting guns and pulling triggers. Building on pioneering work, Garbarino show why young men and boys have become increasingly vulnerable to violent crime and how lack of adult supervision and support poses a real and growing threat to our children’s basic safety.

Parents Under Siege:

Why You Are the Solution, Not the Problem, In Your Child’s Life

A handful of children make headlines by waging war against their schools and peers, but there are millions of troubled boys and girls who don’t go to such extremes. All the same, they make life hell for their families, not always intentionally, and not because they are rebelling against parents who are neglectful or abusive. Why? Because parents are imperfect and some kids simply are hard to raise. Confidential surveys reveal that 20 percent of American parents say they have a child at home who is so difficult it is nearly impossible to lead a normal life. Drawing upon 25 years experience in research with children of all ages and their families and dozens of interviews with parents from across the country conducted specifically for this book–including the only face-to-face conversations with the parents of Columbine school shooter Dylan Klebold–the book provides a realistic and sympathetic look at parenting in today’s world.

Pre-registration deadline for the event is, Thurs., Feb. 21. Pre-registration is $5 to attend the forum; $25 to attend the forum and receive one Garbarino book and $50 to pre-register and receive two Garbarino books. Admission at the door is $15, and does not guarantee seating. Reserved seats not occupied by 5:15 p.m. will be released for resale if necessary. For more information or to request that a registration form be mailed to you, call (978) 630-9323.