Media and movies have brought attention to gangs, gang violence and the attempts of authorities to enforce laws, limit activities and protect society in general. Unfortunately, one of the results has been a form of glorification, of getting-even with society in general and with the powerful in particular.
Beginnings
Gangs began as a way to identify with a group outside of the family where individuals "belonged". As our culture incorporated people who we perceived as "different" from ourselves, this social grouping became a way to emotionally or physically protect ourselves. The basics of this grouping are that each group perceives itself as better than the other, as being "right", as having an established "territory". All of these are actually defense mechanisms to strengthen the self-identity. Some of the groups can be identified by racial origin, ethnicity, language, religion, color, income, social status, source of income, etc.
Who Join Gangs
Many children grow up surrounded by gangs. Sometimes the gang members are neighborhood heroes for their actions or spending money. Sometimes they are respected because they have been shot, spent time in jail, carry a gun, deal drugs or were victorious in fights. Always they defy the rules of being responsible and doing well in school. Gang members usually have difficulties in school (grades and skills as well as behavior) and see little to gain for identifying with school and school activities.
Typically individuals make the decision to become gang members between the ages of 11 and 13. What they don't realize is the length of commitment they are making, because age and life span has little meaning to a pre-adolescent. Gangs today require members to be actively involved for their entire lives. Involvement means different requirements but essentially they boil down to defending the territory, source of income and individuals within the gang. Violence, "partying" with substance use and abuse and sexual activities become their way of life.
Avoiding Gang Involvement
Gang members rely on fear and intimidation of others to establish their territory. When someone aligns themselves with their issues (territory, rights, etc.), that individual begins involvement in gang activities. Mimicking the dress codes of gang members is a signal of willingness. Engaging in prohibited behaviors (smoking, drug use, cutting classes, defying authority) at school is another signal of willingness.
The best ways to prevent becoming involved with gangs or gang-supporting people are:
· Do well in school, follow the rules and take challenging classes that put on a college-bound track. Participate in school activities (clubs, sports).
· Stay away from known gang hang-outs.
· Dress well and avoid the gang colors and manner of dress (and make up for girls).
· Attend parties at school or at homes of friends when their parents are present.
· Be nice to everyone but choose friends who do not want to be involved in gangs.
· Report to authorities any attempts to intimidate you or extort money.
· Ignore taunting behaviors.
There may be some people who make fun of you for not aligning yourself with a gang. The best advice is to walk on by (hopefully with others) and pay no attention to them. After one or two tries, they will leave you alone because they gain nothing when they are ignored. When you respond, they can put you down verbally or engage in a fight, and then they win. It isn't worth it.
Beginnings
Gangs began as a way to identify with a group outside of the family where individuals "belonged". As our culture incorporated people who we perceived as "different" from ourselves, this social grouping became a way to emotionally or physically protect ourselves. The basics of this grouping are that each group perceives itself as better than the other, as being "right", as having an established "territory". All of these are actually defense mechanisms to strengthen the self-identity. Some of the groups can be identified by racial origin, ethnicity, language, religion, color, income, social status, source of income, etc.
Who Join Gangs
Many children grow up surrounded by gangs. Sometimes the gang members are neighborhood heroes for their actions or spending money. Sometimes they are respected because they have been shot, spent time in jail, carry a gun, deal drugs or were victorious in fights. Always they defy the rules of being responsible and doing well in school. Gang members usually have difficulties in school (grades and skills as well as behavior) and see little to gain for identifying with school and school activities.
Typically individuals make the decision to become gang members between the ages of 11 and 13. What they don't realize is the length of commitment they are making, because age and life span has little meaning to a pre-adolescent. Gangs today require members to be actively involved for their entire lives. Involvement means different requirements but essentially they boil down to defending the territory, source of income and individuals within the gang. Violence, "partying" with substance use and abuse and sexual activities become their way of life.
Avoiding Gang Involvement
Gang members rely on fear and intimidation of others to establish their territory. When someone aligns themselves with their issues (territory, rights, etc.), that individual begins involvement in gang activities. Mimicking the dress codes of gang members is a signal of willingness. Engaging in prohibited behaviors (smoking, drug use, cutting classes, defying authority) at school is another signal of willingness.
The best ways to prevent becoming involved with gangs or gang-supporting people are:
· Do well in school, follow the rules and take challenging classes that put on a college-bound track. Participate in school activities (clubs, sports).
· Stay away from known gang hang-outs.
· Dress well and avoid the gang colors and manner of dress (and make up for girls).
· Attend parties at school or at homes of friends when their parents are present.
· Be nice to everyone but choose friends who do not want to be involved in gangs.
· Report to authorities any attempts to intimidate you or extort money.
· Ignore taunting behaviors.
There may be some people who make fun of you for not aligning yourself with a gang. The best advice is to walk on by (hopefully with others) and pay no attention to them. After one or two tries, they will leave you alone because they gain nothing when they are ignored. When you respond, they can put you down verbally or engage in a fight, and then they win. It isn't worth it.
Jennifer Little, Ph.D.
All children can succeed in school. Parents can help their children by teaching the foundational skills that schools presume children have. Without the foundation for schools' academic instruction, children needlessly struggle and/or fail. Their future becomes affected because they then believe they are less than others, not able to succeed or achieve or provide for themselves or their families. Visit http://parentsteachkids.com/ to learn how to directly help your child and http://easyschoolsuccess.com/ to learn what is needed for education reform efforts to be successful.
All children can succeed in school. Parents can help their children by teaching the foundational skills that schools presume children have. Without the foundation for schools' academic instruction, children needlessly struggle and/or fail. Their future becomes affected because they then believe they are less than others, not able to succeed or achieve or provide for themselves or their families. Visit http://parentsteachkids.com/ to learn how to directly help your child and http://easyschoolsuccess.com/ to learn what is needed for education reform efforts to be successful.
