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PREVENTION
THE EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF GANG INVOLVEMENT
Interventions to reduce youth violence must address a variety
of individual and social factors. Violent behavior is not purely a matter of
individual temperament; it also is influenced by a variety of family, peer,
neighborhood, and societal factors. Two lines of thought about the development
of violent and delinquent behavior are prevalent in the literature. One is that
youth who engage in violence have failed to develop appropriate social skills.
They engage in violence because they are unable to solve problems and satisfy
their needs in a more socially constructive way. The second viewpoint is that
delinquent youth are very good at analyzing and interpreting behavior, but they
employ this skill in a socially unsanctioned way. According to this view, many
delinquent youth live in violent and unforgiving environments and have adopted a
violent pattern of response to survive. From the perspective of these youth,
violence is justified if it helps them achieve a goal or command respect.
Gang Prevention is the key!
The following is a list of the early warning signs of possible gang experimentation and involvement. One indicator by itself does not mean that your child is involved in gangs. As you will notice, many of these signs can be normal childhood/pre-teen behaviors.
However, if your child is exhibiting several of these behaviors, especially those that are more gang specific, such as using a gang type nickname, wearing a gang affiliated tattoo, or you find graffiti or other gang writing in their possession, you may well have cause for concern.
To be sure, please call one of the Community Agencies listed on the Resource Agencies web page and ask to speak with a "CAT team member". These trained counselors can answer your questions and concerns about your child's specific behaviors and help you to determine whether your child may be becoming involved with gang members.
Warning signs include but are not exclusive to:
DEFIANCE OF AUTHORITY:
Most children express defiant behavior from time to time. However, gang-involved youth are extremely defiant of authority figures, such as parents and teachers, including making threats and defying house rules.
CHANGE IN DRESS:
Many gangs use a certain style of clothing, particular colors, sports team logos on clothing, or clothing accessories to denote gang membership. For instance, a child who does not follow sports but continually wears a particular sports logo or who wears the same color combination all the time may warrant further inspection.
NEW FRIENDS:
The child may begin to associate with a new group of friends, often who are significantly older. If this group of friends all seem to dress in similar styles or colors, they use nicknames, or your child is reluctant to introduce them, the chances of the child being recruited into a gang goes up significantly.
DROP IN GRADES:
There is a change in school performance, such as a drop in grades, skipping classes, or getting into more trouble. Generally speaking, gang members do not like or value academic success. Good students are viewed as nerds, and are called by the derogatory terms of "school-boy" or "school-girl." As gang involvement progresses, students may not be able to concentrate on academics because of late night activities or alcohol and other drug use.
TOUGH IMAGE:
Children in the early gang affiliation stage begin to act very tough, mimicking the tough, mean, and aggressive behaviors of active gang members. They may use frequent curse words and exhibit a defiant posture whenever they are confronted.
STARTS USING A NICKNAME:
In the world of gangs, you are not anyone until you have earned a nickname, such as "Lil Killa", "Sniper", "C-dog", B-dog", Psycho", etc. Gang members refer to each other by these nicknames. In some gangs, youth do not know the real names of members, just the street name.
SECRECY:
Children who are toying with joining a gang may hide gang paraphernalia, drugs, or weapons in the house for the active gang members. They may not want parents to see evidence of their gang involvement, such as graffiti written on clothing, furniture, or their bedroom walls, so they insist on more and more privacy. They may try to get a lock on their bedroom door.
SUDDENLY HAS MONEY:
Some youth get involved with gangs to make money illegally. Parents should be concerned over unexplained money or material goods such as jewelry, radios, televisions, computer games, etc.
EXCESSIVE SLEEPING:
Research indicates that teenagers naturally need more sleep than adults. However, excessive sleeping may indicate the youth has been staying out late at night with the gang or is involved with alcohol and other drug use.
CUTS AND BRUISES:
Fights occur more frequently with youth who are involved with gangs. Be aware of unexplained cuts and bruises, especially on the knuckles and hands.
TATTOOS:
Gang members use tattoos to demonstrate what gang they belong to. Younger children may begin using a pen or magic marker to draw gang names or initials on their body. They may also draw their nickname or use other gang slogans for their tattoos. Older kids may even carve or brand gang related symbols into their skin. Eventually this behavior will lead to the individual getting a permanent tattoo.
GRAFFITI:
Like tattoos, graffiti gang writing can be the name of a gang, initials, numbers or symbols that are associated with a gang. Youth that are getting into gangs will generally have graffiti written on personal possessions such as books, notebooks, back packs, clothing, bedroom walls or furniture.
PRACTICING HAND SIGNS AND OTHER GANG BEHAVIORS:
Just as youth who are interested in sports will practice that sport, youth interested in gangs will practice gang related behaviors. They will usually practice writing the graffiti. Youth just beginning gang involvement will spend hours practicing the hand signs of a gang. Some will practice tough or menacing stares, often referred to as mad-dogging, in a mirror.
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE:
Gang members and their friends have easy access to alcohol and other drugs. Some youth get involved with gangs just to party.
WANTING TO
BE LEFT ALONE
No long has a desire to be with
family members in the house and starts to withdraw into his/her own room for
long periods of time.
KEEPING LATE HOURS
Going out
late in the evening and not returning until 2 or 3 AM or and sleeping in late.
DISRESPECTFUL
Child
becomes disrespectful to parents, elders and those in authority position.
POSSESSING WEAPONS AND OR DRUGS
Found to have drugs and or weapons in their possession on in their room.
NEW FRIENDS
Child has
new friends who is often in trouble with police, school and/or community.
Associating with a child that always appears to be in crisis or suspect.
CONTACT US:
Office: (732) 922-4525
Fax: (732) 922-4514 |
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