Teens and Gangs II

Many communities (maybe the one you live in) have serious problems with gangs. There are many kinds of gangs, but whatever kind you community is dealing with, gangs spell trouble. They cause fear, destroy property, threaten or hurt peaceable residents, and drive out businesses. Parents can do a lot to prevent gang problems or top reduce gag problems already in place. Most important, there.s a lot that parents like you can do to keep your own children from joining gangs

Why do Teens join gangs?

Racism: When young people encounter both personal and institutional racism (i.e., systematic denial of privileges), the risks are increased. When groups of people are denied access to power, privileges, and resources, they will often form their own anti-establishment group.

Lack of a support network: Gang members often come from homes where they feel alienated or neglected They may turn to gangs when their needs for love are not being met at home. Risks increase when the community fails to provide sufficient youth programs or alternatives to violence.

Media influences. Television, movies, radio, and music all have profound effects on youth development. Before youth have established their own value systems and are able to make moral judgements, the media promotes drugs, sex, and violence as an acceptable lifestyle.

Poverty: A sense of hopelessness can result from being unable to purchase wanted goods and services. Young people living in poverty may find it difficult to meet basic physical and psychological needs which can lead to a lack of self-worth and pride. One way to earn cash is to join a gang involved in the drug trade.

How Do I Know if My Teen is in a Gang

If you are afraid that your kid is in a gang, he/she probably is. It is better to try to protect a kid who doesn't need it than to bury a kid who tried to hide the truth from his parents.

• Does he have tattoos of something that looks like a gang name or insignia?
• Does he have extra money sometimes and try to explain it with stories you have trouble believing?
• Do you notice changes in wardrobe, attitude, and tastes in music and cars?
• Does he collect bandanas of a paticular color and favor that color in his clothes?
• Does he go out late at night sometimes, or not come home for several days?
• Is he getting in a lot more fights?
• Is he doing worse at school and "ditching" school from time to time?

Teen Violence

Studies show that teens that engage in serious acts of violence generally have a life style that involves risky behavior, drugs, weapons, driving recklessly, and having unsafe sex. Statistics show that "1 in 9 murders were committed by youth under 18" and that "youth under 18 accounted for about 1 in 6 violent crime arrests in 1999People often commit violence because of one or more of the following:

Expression. Some people use violence to release feelings of anger or frustration. They think there are no answers to their problems and turn to violence to express their out of control emotions.

Manipulation. Violence is used as a way to control others or get something they want.

Retaliation. Violence is used to retaliate against those who have hurt them or someone they care about.

Violence is a learned behavior. Like all learned behaviors, it can be changed. This isn't easy, though. Since there is no single cause of violence, there is no one simple solution. The best you can do is learn to recognize the warning signs of violence and to get help when you see them in your friends or yourself.

Factors that contribute to violent behavior include:

• peer pressure
• need for attention or respect
• feelings of low self-worth
• early childhood abuse or neglect
• witnessing violence at home, in the community or in the media
• easy access to weapons

Often people who act violently have trouble controlling their feelings. They may have been hurt by others. Some think that making people fear them through violence or threats of violence will solve their problems or earn them respect. This isn't true.

People who behave violently lose respect. They find themselves isolated or disliked, and they still feel angry and frustrated.

If you see these immediate warning signs, violence is a serious possibility:

• loss of temper on a daily basis
• frequent physical fighting
• significant vandalism or property damage
• increase in use of drugs or alcohol
• increase in risk-taking behavior
• detailed plans to commit acts of violence
• announcing threats or plans for hurting others
• enjoying hurting animals
• carrying a weapon

Sources: helping.apa.org -

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