You’ve probably heard about the dangers of gang violence. Adolescents may be tempted to join a gang when parents are too busy to give their children the attention and positive reinforcement they need. Children might meet a “cool” group of friends who offer them everything they seem to be missing at home. For many youngsters, joining a gang is like joining a family. A gang offers them support, belonging, order, caring, and a sense of purpose.

There are things to do so that your children may be less likely to join a gang. You can make the difference in your child’s life. Be active and show them how much you love and appreciate them. It’s never too late to start!

Who are considered high risk for gang involvement?

-          Youth living in areas of high gang activity.

-          Youth from broken or single-parent homes.

-          Youth from homes where they are left to fend for themselves most of the time.

-          Youth who are looking for a sense of belonging, which they do not get at home.

-          Youth with low self-esteem who are not given the proper praise for good accomplishments.

Warning signs of gang membership:

-          Change in type of clothing selection, such as style, color, or type. Friends or associates dress similarly. Clothing may be altered with gang writing, such as hats, or T-shirts

-          Withdrawing from the family; isn’t interested in extra curricular activities or family events; has problems at home

-          Declining grades and poor school attendance

-          Unexplained money or new possessions

-          Tattoos that are affiliated with a gang or group

-          Son or daughter receives calls from someone who refuses to identify themselves or identify themselves with a nickname only. They may also refer to your son or daughter by a nickname.

-          Contacts with the police; negative contact with the police

-          Writes the name of his or her gang in graffiti; increase in gang-type graffiti on schoolbooks, notebooks, or papers. This may also be found on bedroom walls or other locations in the room. They may also mark themselves in the form of graffiti or tattoos.

-          Change in friends; does not bring friends to his/her home; has friends who are in gangs

-          Change in attitude to include violent reactions, disruptive behavior, dislike, and refusal to submit to authority (parents, school, and police).

-          Becomes secretive regarding whereabouts or activities; develops an unusual desire for privacy and secrecy and may completely rearrange living quarters to create more privacy

-          Obsessed with gangster-influenced music, videos and movies to the point of imitation

-          Uses hand signs while with friends and practices them at home;

-          Possible use of alcohol and drugs with attitude change

-          There is evidence or the appearance of physical injury (such as being beaten) and then child lies about the events surrounding the injury.

Keeping in mind the following attitudes listed above, the following may be [CLOTHING] indicators of gang membership:

-          Wearing exclusively red, blue, or black clothing

-          Wearing clothing that is altered by lettering or numbering indicating gang name, moniker or nickname, or other type of gang insignia

-          Wearing hats that have been altered

-          Wears excessive jewelry with distinctive designs and may wear it only on either the right or left side of the body

If you are uncertain about the clothes your child is wearing:

Clothing alone may not be an indicator of gang membership. Parents must look beyond the clothing and determine the attitude of why the clothing is being worn. Parents should ask themselves the following questions in regard to changes in attitude:

-          If sports-type clothing is being worn, is the subject a true sports fan?

-          Is he or she wearing only a certain type, style, or color of clothing?

-          Are all his or her friends wearing the same exact style, type, or color of clothing?

-          Are his or her friends obsessed with one particular color of clothing or shows a desire for a particular logo over and over?

Protecting Your Child From Gang Involvement

-          Get to know your children’s friends, how they influence your kids, and what they do when they’re together. Get your children involved in supervised, positive group activities.

-          Discourage your kids from hanging out with gangs.

-          Spend your free time with your kids. Give your kids some one-on-one time, so that you can give them your undivided attention. Give them chores to do around the house, enroll them in after-school activities, sports, and community center or church programs. Plan activities for the entire family, such as trips to parks, libraries, museums, or the beach. Give your kids attention!

-          Become involved in your children’s education; meet with the counselors and teachers; impress upon your children the importance of school and good grades.

-          Develop good communication skills with your kids. Good communication is open, frequent, and positive. This will allow your kids to express themselves and confide in you.

-          Find positive role models for them.

-          Respect your children's feelings and attitudes; help them to develop a strong sense of self-esteem

-          Keep your children from attracting the attention of gangs; don’t buy or let them wear clothing that resembles gang wear. They might attract attention from the wrong people.

-          Set limits and rules for your kids. From an early age, let them know what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Enforce a curfew. Don’t let them hang out until the wee hours of the night. Establish non-negotiable rules for your family regarding the use of alcohol, drugs, and gang membership

-          Don’t let them write or draw graffiti like gang members.

-          Learn about gangs and gang activity in your community. Get educated!

-          If you're unsure or are in family crises, then seek help from a local agency.

Clearly and continually begin to express to your children at an early age your disapproval of gangs and gang-related activity i.e. advise your children they should not:

-          Associate with gang members or "wannabe/gonnabe" gang members;

-          Identify or communicate with gangs;

-          Hang out near or where gangs congregate;

-          Approach strangers in cars who appear to want information or directions;

-          Wear gang-related clothing where gangs are known to gather or traverse;

-          Wear initialed clothing such as BK - British Knights - a/k/a "Blood Killer" in high crime areas;

-          Use words like "Crab" or "Slob" (localized lingo may develop) anywhere gangs may be; i.e., malls, sporting events, etc.;

-          Attend any party or social event sponsored by gangs or their associates;

-          Take part in any graffiti activity or hang around where graffiti is present; or

-          Use any kind of finger or sign language in a public place.

Remember, just because someone is on the threshold of joining a gang, or is already in a gang, doesn’t mean that it is too late to establish positive alternatives! 

RESOURCES

Gang Resistance and Education Training (G.R.E.A.T) http://www.great-online.org/

National Youth Gang Center http://www.iir.com/nygc/

Gang-Free Schools and communities Program http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/programs/ProgSummary.asp?pi=6

The Interagency Task Force On Gangs And Youth Violence: http://associations.smsu.edu/nogangs/