|
Author: B. Williams Article source: http://www.kabish.com/. Used with author's permission.
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced back to the early 19th century -- the demographic of a youth gang is something that is constantly changing. Many people stereotype gang members as urban, inner city males from racial minorities, but in fact gangs are a problem in suburbs as well as cities, for all races and for girls as well as boys.
There are about 750,000 gang members in the United States, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Justice, and one-third of them are under the age of 18. And while it's still true that men account for the majority of gang members-more than 90 percent are male-gang membership among women is becoming increasingly common.
What Exactly is a Gang?
Every gang has its own requirements and characteristics, but the U.S. Department of Justice says that all gangs have one thing in common: "A group must be involved in a pattern of criminal acts to be considered a youth gang."
Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines a gang as, "A criminal enterprise having an organizational structure, acting as a continuing criminal conspiracy, which employs violence and any other criminal activity to sustain the enterprise."
Additionally, gangs typically:
* Develop around racial and ethnic lines
* Are typically male-dominated with some female members, though female gangs are on the increase
* Center on a specific territory
* Act as an organization that may be part of a larger group
* Display symbols associated with their gang through clothing, tattoos, graffiti, hand signals and language
Why do Kids Join Gangs?
According to a White House fact sheet for the new youth initiative aimed at protecting America's youth from gangs, an overwhelming number of violent U.S. criminals like those in gangs grow up in single-mother households with no father around. It's also been shown that kids who are involved with their family, school and community are less likely to be involved in risky behavior like joining a gang.
This may explain why, generally, kids join gangs to feel like they belong and have a sense of purpose. In fact, kids join gangs for many of the same reasons that kids join any group, like a soccer team or Boy Scouts:
* Looking for a sense of self-worth, belonging and commitment
* Seeking structure and discipline
* Companionship
* A need for recognition, higher status and acceptance
* Excitement and something to do
Gang Signs
Additionally, kids may join gangs because of a:
* Need for protection
* Family tradition
* Need for money (kids in gangs can earn cash from drug trades)
How to Keep Your Kids Away From Gangs
Since most kids who join gangs do so because they are looking for a social network, for a group to belong to, ensuring that your child gets plenty of love and support at home and through positive activities is key in keeping them away from gangs.
Such was the case with David Danisa, a young man who could have easily fallen prey to gangs himself as friends around him joined steadily. Instead, Danisa and friend Jurell Spivey joined school programs and even got involved into keeping younger kids out of gangs.
"There's a lot of pressures in high school," says Danisa. "If you have people who are helping you out in programs, you start having more self-respect. You can fight through the hard stuff." And, to put is simply, after your day gets filled up with sports, volunteering and other activities, "You don't have time to do anything bad," Danisa said.
Aside from enrolling your kids in community or school youth programs from an early age, the following tips can also help:
* Encourage your child to think independently
* Take an active interest in his/her life: Be involved!
* Get to know your child's friends and encourage healthy friendships
* Teach your child coping strategies to deal with hard times
* Support your child with words and actions to instill in them a sense of self-esteem and personal responsibility
* Discourage too much exposure to media influences that glorify drugs, sex, gangs and violence to kids
Resources That Can Help
If you suspect your child, friend or family member is in a gang and in need of help, there are many resources available. First, according to the Los Angeles' County Sheriff's Department:
* The member must think and believe that they can get out of the gang, and must want to do it.
* Reduce the amount of time spent with the gang. It's best to do so gradually, rather than trying to sever all ties immediately.
* Replace gang activities with positive activities like sports, the arts, employment, religion, education, volunteering, etc.
* Remove gang tattoos and attire and modify language away from gang communications.
* Create a new set of friends and an alternative support system, such as boys and girls clubs.
* Help other youths in gangs to create a better life away from the gang.
Other helpful resources include:
* National Clearinghouse for Families & Youth
* Family and Youth Services Bureau
* The YMCA
* Your local youth community center From the FREE SixWise.com e-newsletter, the Web's #1 most read newsletter with original articles in all 6 areas of life leading to complete wellness.
Fake Weight Loss Claims: Identify Them
Its crowded..really crowded..every other site offers Weight Loss Programs and guarantees loss of weight quickly and effectively. But do they really live upto it...
A Secured Loan Could Save You Money
The interest rate will be lower on a secured loan than on a comparable unsecured loan. A secured loan may also offer more flexible repayment periods.
Internet Marketing Strategy:The Advertising Co-op
The advertising co-op is an Internet marketing strategy that should bring sustained financial success.
Pain Anatomy 101: How Pain Works, And How Your Subconscious May Be Able to Short-Circuit It
In building a strategy for pain relief it may be helpful to understand how pain works. Here's a quick primer to help you grasp the mechanics, and show you the p...
What Impact Does Exercise For Golfers Have
In spite of numerous assurances some golfers still dread and fear joining any exercise for golfer programs. So as a last line of defense, they pop up the questi...
Sell Your Home Without Paying Any Commissions
Do you wish to sell your home on your own without using the services of a real estate agent? Learn how...
How to SAVE Yourself from Spending too Much Money on Advertising!
How much money have you spent in Advertising, Promotion & Marketing? If you're like most people you've probably spent over $1000 or more. Many individuals and c...
Removing Spot Scratches in Your Treasured Photos – 5 Minute Digital Fix
Probably one of the most common problems you will be faced with in doing any type of digital photo restoration work will be to do with spot scratches on your ol...
A Unique Opportunity For Affiliate Recruiters
If you're a webmaster, web publisher, or web merchant, chances are you have already come across the concept of affiliate marketing. As online joint venture par...
Mortgage Loan Information - Know The Basics When You Refinance or Purchase a Home
When looking for a mortgage loan, its important to know a little bit about the basic types of mortgage loans.
Use Free Articles To Create High Quality Backlinks Part II
The first part has dealt with introductory elements which could provide quality to an article. Yet, there are more to follow with a view to reach the wanted sta...
The 12 Most Pesticide-Ridden Fruits and Veggies
Choosing safe fruit and vegetables is essential. We provide a quick view of the safest non-organic produce and the most dangerous. Keep yourself and your litt...
What Is A Debt Consolidation Program?
Debt consolidation programs are devised to get you out of debt in the quickest and most inexpensive manner possible. When you sign up with a debt consolidation...
5 Tips to for EBay Buyers
The article contains some tips for eBay buyers to ensure they do not overbid for items in auctions. There are 5 basic tips with text about each one.
Introduction to Hobby Metal Casting for the Practical Home Mechanic - Engineer
If you're a practical hands on type of person who likes to build things from scratch, then you would definitely enjoy getting involved in the art of hobby metal...
Web Site Accessibility
Accessibility seems to be one of the hottest issues in web design at the moment. Many companies are rebuilding sites to meet accessibility standards. So, what i...
Lottery Scam, What It is and how to Avoid It?
Internet scams and frauds are on the rise! The quantity of scam
emails with various fraud schemes any email account receives
today is simply overwhelming! The...
How To Eat A Healthy Diet During Pregnancy
Perhaps the number one complaint of women trying to watch their weight during pregnancy is that they are hungry all the time. True, pregnancy does result in an ...
MLM Leads: How To Improve Your List
Here are three of the best resources to make any MLM Leads List you purchase better. Melissa Data (http://www.melissadata.com/) to verify the correct address ...
Travel Light to Work
As a frequent traveler, my goal for each trip is to travel light. Despite thoughtful planning, sometimes that goal is shattered when I go to close the suitcase ...
Christmas Recipes: Cakes & Tarts. No.1 of 7 - Mincemeat & Marzipan Tart
A christmas recipe from the cakes and tarts category to try on your friends and relatives. Something different.
Home Office Furniture: Choosing the Right Computer Desk
Your home office should be planned carefully, as the right equipment and office furniture will not only save you time and effort, but money, too. Old or inconve...
Online Advertising: 14 Easy Ways To Make Your Web Site Visitors Give You Their Email Addresses
You may have heard many times, that getting the
e-mail addresses of your website visitors and following
up on them can spark up your sales and unleash a
tsunam...
One of the Oldest Traditions of the American West; The Dude Ranch
Dude Ranches first gained popularity in the 1920s, in large part due to the writings of Teddy Roosevelt. Working as a ranch man himself, Roosevelt not only spen...
|
Print this page