Joining a Gang: How to Help Kids Prevent it, How to Tell if Theyve Joined One, How to Help Them Out

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.

---

Bad Boys/Good Boys (Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Being An Insensitive Dad)

I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More

Is My Child Lazy?

Is there a difference between lazy and unmotivated? Why do... Read More

Muscle Pain And Children Do Not Mix

I am in pain. I've been in pain all day.... Read More

Potty Dolls to Accelerate Potty Training Success

Sometime the most effective training tool in rapidly accelerating the... Read More

Loving Your Step-Children

Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More

Discipline

Discipline is a necessary part of parenting yet it makes... Read More

10 Secrets To Know You?re A Good Working Parent To Your Kids!

How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More

Positive Parenting - Oops! I Really Lost My Temper With My Kids, What Now?

Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More

Time, Stress, and a Baby

The main thing we noticed since having a baby is... Read More

7 Ways Busy Families Can Volunteer

Volunteering together is a fantastic way to spend time as... Read More

Disciplining the Wild Child

Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More

COMMITMENT: Teaching Children the Lessons of a Lifetime

It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Self-Decorating or Self-Harm - How to Tell the Difference

Q. I need your help with a question about my... Read More

How to Take Charge of the TV

Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More

The Secrets To Improving Childrens Behaviour

Most parents at some stage are driven to distraction by... Read More

Some Thoughts on Counseling Goals for ADHD

What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More

Growing Good People

At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More

Book Review: The Ring Bear Depicts Turmoil of Becoming A Stepchild

In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More

Vouchers --- Parents, Dont Depend On Them

Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream, But Not For Ice Cream!

We all scream for ice cream. Or, we don't, at... Read More

School Days - Top 10 Tips for Establishing a Good Routine

Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More

Raising a Violent-Free Teen in 10 Easy Steps

The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More

Parents --- Homeschooling Can Take a Lot Less Time Than You Think

The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More

Maturing As a Parent

I have three children, ages 19 and 16 (yes, the... Read More

Second Letter to My Daughter

Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More

Im a Father, Doesnt Anyone Care?

The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the... Read More

Intro to Medications for ADD ADHD

The most common medications used in the treatment of Attention... Read More

How Can I Teach My Child To Be Responsible?

Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More

Minimizing Homework Hassles

John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More

An Overview of Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More

Celebrating Mom: How To Make Every Day Her Special Day!

Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love... Read More

Helping Your Child Cope With A Long-Term Illness

All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More

Raising Teenagers? Stay C.A.L.M.

Parents of teenagers frequently ask what can be done to... Read More