Community activists, social workers and psychologists who have studied the effects on young people of living amid violence say children who plan their own funerals are showing that they do not expect to live long.

"It's strange to hear young kids talking about dying, but that goes along with the times," said Sharon Brooks, 32, an instructor at the Boys and Girls Club. "For them to come tell you someone was murdered the night before is just like regular conversation."

William W. Johnson, a former police officer who works with youths in the District, said death is almost a daily reality for some.

"It's happening around them. . . . These kids come home to dope, guns and killing. We're living in a war zone," Johnson said. "They actually believe they are not going to be around. If you look at the circumstances and the facts, they have enough to think that way."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1993/11/01/getting-ready-to-die-young/b865f750-1008-41c6-8075-268797eac313/?tid=a_inl