Introduction
In Puerto Rico, the controversy over the causes of youth violence continues. Many argue that the problem lies solely in a lack of personal responsibility: young people who failed to make the right choices. But reducing the explanation to this factor ignores something fundamental: The environment also shapes human behavior.
The Christian Bioethics invites us to look at the problem from a broader perspective. The dignity of human life compels us to examine not only individual decisions, but also the environments that influence them: the family, the community, the school, social structures, and economic conditions.
Personal Responsibility vs. Environmental Influence
In the field of behavioral psychology there has been a constant debate between behaviorism (which emphasizes the role of the environment in shaping behavior) and mentalism (which puts the weight on the mind and individual decisions). The truth is that both elements are intertwined: the person has moral responsibility, but their ability to act fairly is influenced by their environment.
Scripture recognizes this tension. Paul writes: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). Here we see that there is a “world” that shapes, but also a call to resist that pressure and make different decisions.
Lessons from Moral Psychology
Classic psychological experiments offer compelling evidence of the power of the environment on human behavior:
- Milgram and obedience to authority:Most participants were willing to inflict pain on others when an authority figure asked them to. They weren't "bad people," but rather individuals responding to external pressure.
- Zimbardo and Stanford Prison: Ordinary students, placed in a "prison-like" environment, ended up abusing other students. The role and context brought out harmful behaviors.
- Bandura and social learning: Violence can be learned by observing it. Young people who grow up in environments where aggression is a daily pattern are more likely to reproduce it.
These findings underline that human sin does not manifest in a vacuum, but rather it feeds and multiplies in contexts that normalize it.
Biblical and Philosophical Perspective
From a moral philosophy perspective, situationist critique reminds us that character is not manifested only in isolated decisions, but in interaction with external conditions. And from faith, we recognize that the human heart needs to be renewed by the Spirit of God, but also that justice demands transforming structures that facilitate evil.
Jesus recognized the power of the environment. When he said: “The tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33), did not deny individual responsibility, but did point out that what is cultivated—what is sown around a person—determines the type of fruit that person will produce.
Towards a Christian Bioethics of Youth Violence
If we want to respond to youth violence in Puerto Rico, it's not enough to simply ask young people to "behave." We need a bioethical, moral, and pastoral strategy that addresses external factors:
- Family: support homes where respect, forgiveness, and nonviolent conflict resolution are modeled.
- Educational Institutions: invest in moral training and emotional support programs.
- Congregations: need to be safe spaces for discipleship, mentoring, and healing for at-risk youth.
- Government and civil society: create public policies that reduce marginalization, unemployment, and exposure to everyday violence.
Call to Action
Youth violence is not simply an individual failing, nor is it an inevitable destiny. It is the result of complex interactions between the human heart and its environment. As Christians and as a society, we are called to intervene both inside the person and in the conditions that surround them.
- To the parents: Model by your example what it means to live with mercy and justice.
- To the churches: accompany and disciple, don't just condemn.
- To our schools: teach not only academic content, but also life and coexistence skills.
- To the policymakers: creen ambientes que fomenten oportunidades y reduzcan la violencia estructural.
Christian bioethics reminds us that human life is sacred and that every young person deserves an environment that nurtures their dignity. In the words of the prophet: “Learn to do good; seek justice; help the oppressed.” (Isaiah 1:17). This is the path to a more just and sustainable society.
