FIVE TELL--TALE SIGNS OF GANG--INFLUENCE, AND THREE WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM.
In a 2005 survey of California adults*
75% said that their main concern was "the well-being of children."
This worry far outranked their concerns about health care,
the economy, or even terrorism.
And the #1 concern? Youth gangs and violence. In fact
nearly 70% said this was the biggest problem facing
youngsters today, closely followed by drug and
alcohol use.
Gangs are certainly prevalent inside and outside of our school system (more than 21,000 at the last count)**and even though most youngsters only remain members for a short while, a gang member is more likely to be caught up in criminal activity than the rest of the population.
How can parents spot trouble brewing, and what can they do about it? Burrel Lee Wilks III, an ex-Vice Lord gang chief turned businessman, and life coach, has first hand knowledge of the pressures kid's face.
"Gangs are seductive and deadly. They promise money, power, and instant gratification. They create the illusion of family but in reality offer only dead-ends and hopelessness. Their pull is strong. Most kids believe they join a gang on their own terms. They're deluding themselves. The streets suck you in, pull you under and spit you out when they're done."
Parents need to be extra vigilant:
- Check clothes for cigarettes, joints or unexplained phone numbers. Does his coat smell different? Are there unexplained burns or marks on it?
- Has he started to dress differently, maybe cocking his cap to one side, or rolling up the cuff of a trouser leg? This is called 'signifying.' As gets more involved he may wear gang colors, but in the early days the signs will be more subtle. Look for gang branding' inside hats and collars.
- Does he want a tattoo, or his ear pierced? This may be a fashion statement, but is a BIG part of gang culture too...
- Has he begun to mention names you aren't familiar with? Is he using street 'handles' (nick-names) instead of full names, and has he started to use words you don't understand? Each gang has it's own unique word-code, their own special language.
- Has his behavior toward you changed? Is he more argumentative, introverted or difficult to communicate with. Has he been involved in incidents of petty crime like grafitti, or vandalism? Is his school work suffering?
Click here for some solutions...
* Field research Corp. on behalf of Lucile Packard
Foundation for Children's Health, February 2005.
** 2002/3 National Youth Gang Survey.
