| While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've | | | | who join gangs do so because they are looking |
| been traced back to the early 19th century -- | | | | for a social network, for a group to belong |
| the demographic of a youth gang is something | | | | to, ensuring that your child gets plenty of |
| that is constantly changing. Many people | | | | love and support at home and through positive |
| stereotype gang members as urban, inner city | | | | activities is key in keeping them away from |
| males from racial minorities, but in fact | | | | gangs.Such was the case with David Danisa, a |
| gangs are a problem in suburbs as well as | | | | young man who could have easily fallen prey |
| cities, for all races and for girls as well | | | | to gangs himself as friends around him joined |
| as boys.There are about 750,000 gang members | | | | steadily. Instead, Danisa and friend Jurell |
| in the United States, according to estimates | | | | Spivey joined school programs and even got |
| by the U.S. Department of Justice, and | | | | involved into keeping younger kids out of |
| one-third of them are under the age of 18. | | | | gangs."There's a lot of pressures in high |
| And while it's still true that men account | | | | school," says Danisa. "If you have people who |
| for the majority of gang members-more than 90 | | | | are helping you out in programs, you start |
| percent are male-gang membership among women | | | | having more self-respect. You can fight |
| is becoming increasingly common.What Exactly | | | | through the hard stuff." And, to put is |
| is a Gang?Every gang has its own requirements | | | | simply, after your day gets filled up with |
| and characteristics, but the U.S. Department | | | | sports, volunteering and other activities, |
| of Justice says that all gangs have one thing | | | | "You don't have time to do anything bad," |
| in common: "A group must be involved in a | | | | Danisa said.Aside from enrolling your kids in |
| pattern of criminal acts to be considered a | | | | community or school youth programs from an |
| youth gang."Similarly, the Federal Bureau of | | | | early age, the following tips can also help:* |
| Investigation (FBI) defines a gang as, "A | | | | Encourage your child to think |
| criminal enterprise having an organizational | | | | independently* Take an active interest |
| structure, acting as a continuing criminal | | | | in his/her life: Be involved!* Get to |
| conspiracy, which employs violence and any | | | | know your child's friends and encourage |
| other criminal activity to sustain the | | | | healthy friendships* Teach your child |
| enterprise."Additionally, gangs typically:* | | | | coping strategies to deal with hard times* |
| Develop around racial and ethnic lines* | | | | Support your child with words and actions |
| Are typically male-dominated with some | | | | to instill in them a sense of self-esteem and |
| female members, though female gangs are on | | | | personal responsibility* Discourage too much |
| the increase* Center on a specific | | | | exposure to media influences that glorify |
| territory* Act as an organization that | | | | drugs, sex, gangs and violence to |
| may be part of a larger group* Display | | | | kidsResources That Can HelpIf you suspect |
| symbols associated with their gang through | | | | your child, friend or family member is in a |
| clothing, tattoos, graffiti, hand signals and | | | | gang and in need of help, there are many |
| languageWhy do Kids Join Gangs?According to a | | | | resources available. First, according to the |
| White House fact sheet for the new youth | | | | Los Angeles' County Sheriff's Department:* |
| initiative aimed at protecting America's | | | | The member must think and believe that they |
| youth from gangs, an overwhelming number of | | | | can get out of the gang, and must want to do |
| violent U.S. criminals like those in gangs | | | | it.* Reduce the amount of time spent |
| grow up in single-mother households with no | | | | with the gang. It's best to do so gradually, |
| father around. It's also been shown that kids | | | | rather than trying to sever all ties |
| who are involved with their family, school | | | | immediately.* Replace gang activities |
| and community are less likely to be involved | | | | with positive activities like sports, the |
| in risky behavior like joining a gang.This | | | | arts, employment, religion, education, |
| may explain why, generally, kids join gangs | | | | volunteering, etc.* Remove gang tattoos |
| to feel like they belong and have a sense of | | | | and attire and modify language away from gang |
| purpose. In fact, kids join gangs for many of | | | | communications.* Create a new set of |
| the same reasons that kids join any group, | | | | friends and an alternative support system, |
| like a soccer team or Boy Scouts:* | | | | such as boys and girls clubs.* Help other |
| Looking for a sense of self-worth, belonging | | | | youths in gangs to create a better life away |
| and commitment* Seeking structure and | | | | from the gang.Other helpful resources |
| discipline* Companionship* A need | | | | include:* National Clearinghouse for |
| for recognition, higher status and | | | | Families & Youth* Family and Youth |
| acceptance* Excitement and something to | | | | Services Bureau* The YMCA* Your local |
| doGang SignsAdditionally, kids may join gangs | | | | youth community centerFrom the FREE |
| because of a:* Need for protection* | | | | e-newsletter, the Web's #1 most read |
| Family tradition* Need for money (kids in | | | | newsletter with original articles in all 6 |
| gangs can earn cash from drug trades)How to | | | | areas of life leading to complete wellness. |
| Keep Your Kids Away From GangsSince most kids | | | | |