While research has well documented that urban youth are exposed to increasing rates ofcommunity violence, little is known about what increases risk for violence exposure, whatprotects children from exposure to violence, and what factors reduce the most negative outcomesassociated with witnessing violence. This study expands on current research by evaluating therelations between exposure to violence, family relationship characteristics and parentingpractices, and aggression and depression symptoms. Data were drawn from a sample of 245African-American and Latino boys and their caregivers from economically disadvantagedinner-city neighborhoods in Chicago. Rates of exposure could not be predicted from familyrelationship and parenting characteristics, although there was a trend for discipline to be related.Exposure to community violence was related to increases in aggressive behavior and depressionover a 1-year period even after controlling for previous status. Future studies should continue toevaluate the role of exposure to violence on the development of youth among differentneighborhoods and communities. Implications for intervention and policy are discussed.