National CSI      

Counter Street Gangs Intelligence

Consulting Solutions Inc.   

We are the National CSI consulting and training specialist. We are a National and International consulting firm addressing timely issues. We specialize in Cultural Diversity, Violent Street Gangs, Domestic Terrorist, Youth Violence, Weapons on Campus, Bullying, Youth and community motivation.  We are often requested to address: community concerns. Our Clients are: Law Enforcement, Educators, Parole, Probation, Corrections, Community Organizations, Social Service Groups, Senior Citizens, Business Community, Concerned Youth, Faith-Based Organizations
 

Federal CSI 2042930-03            NJ CSI  CC  021770116-791-695                  Del CSI  - 1738524

Risk Factors for Joining a Gang

• Racism:  When young people encounter both personal and institutional racism (i.e., systematic denial of privileges), the risks are increased.  When groups of people are denied access to power, privileges, and resources, they will often form their own anti-establishment group.

• Poverty:  A sense of hopelessness can result from being unable to purchase wanted goods and services.  Young people living in poverty may find it difficult to meet basic physical and psychological needs which can lead to a lack of self-worth and pride.  One way to earn cash is to join a gang involved in the drug trade.

• Lack of a support network:  Gang members often come from homes where they feel alienated or neglected. They may turn to gangs when their needs for love are not being met at home.  Risks increase when the community fails to provide sufficient youth programs or alternatives to violence.

• Media influences:  Television, movies, radio, and music all have profound effects on youth development.  Before youth have established their own value systems and are able to make moral judgments, the media promotes drugs, sex, and violence as an acceptable lifestyle.

Protective Factors

• Well-developed social and interpersonal skills

• High sense of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and personal responsibility

• Reflectivity, rather than impulsive thought and behavior

• Internal locus of control (i.e., the belief of being able to influence environment in a positive manner)

• Flexible coping strategies, well-developed problem-solving skills and intellectual abilities

Gang Prevention

Youth gang involvement is not a new phenomenon in the United States.  Gangs have been known to exist in our country since the 18th-century.  Philadelphia was trying to devise a way to deal with roaming youth disrupting the city in 1791.  According to the National School Safety Center, officials in New York City acknowledged having gang problems as early as 1825.  The gang problem is not likely to go away soon or to be eliminated easily. 

Here are a few gang-prevention strategies:

• The family and the community are essential to the development of the child's social, emotional, and physical needs.  If the family is the source of love, guidance, and protection that youths seek, they are not forced to search for these basic needs from a gang.  The family and community share responsibility for teaching children the risk of drugs.

• Strong education and training are directly related to a youth's positive development.  Young people who successfully participate in and complete education have greater opportunities to develop into reasonable adults.

• Graffiti removal reduces the chance that crimes will be committed.  Since gangs use graffiti to mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit for a crime, quick removal is essential.

• Conflict resolution programs teach gangs how to deal better with conflicts and help eliminate gang intimidation tactics.

• Recreational programs such as sports, music, drama, and community activities help build a sense of self-worth and self-respect in young people.  Youth involved in such activities are less likely to seek membership in a gang.

Violence is a learned behavior. 

 Children learn violent behaviors from their family and peers, as well as observe it in their neighborhoods and in the community at large.  These behaviors are reinforced by what youth see on television, on the Internet, in video games, movies, music videos, and what they hear in their music.

When children are disciplined with severe corporal punishment or verbal abuse, or when they are physically or sexually abused, or when they witness such behavior in their home, it is not surprising that they behave violently toward others.

Research studies have shown that violent behavior can be decreased or even prevented if these risk factors are significantly reduced or eliminated:

• Being the victim of physical abuse and/or sexual abuse

• Exposure to violence in the home and/or community

• Exposure to violence in media (TV, movies, etc.)

• Use of drugs and/or alcohol

• Presence of firearms in home

• Combination of stressful family socioeconomic factors (poverty, severe deprivation, marital breakup, single parenting, unemployment, loss of support from extended family)

Most importantly, efforts should be directed at dramatically decreasing the exposure of children and adolescents to violence in the home, community, and through the media. 

As an individual is exposed to more risk factors, the probability that he or she will engage in violent behavior increases.  Clearly, violence leads to violence.

Warning Signs

Get help quickly if your child is exhibiting these warning signs for potential violence:

• threats of violence, either verbal or written

• past violent or aggressive behavior (including uncontrollable angry outbursts)

• access to guns or other weapons

• bringing a weapon to school

• past suicide attempts or threats

• family history of violent behavior or suicide attempts

• blaming others and/or unwilling to accept responsibility for one's own actions

• recent experience of humiliation, shame, loss, or rejection

• bullying or intimidating peers or younger children

• being a victim of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect)

• witnessing abuse or violence in the home

• themes of death or depression repeatedly evident in conversation, written expressions, reading selections, or artwork

• preoccupation with themes and acts of violence in TV shows, movies, music, magazines, comics, books, video games, and Internet sites

• mental illness, such as depression, mania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder

• use of alcohol or illicit drugs

• disciplinary problems at school or in the community (delinquent behavior)

• past destruction of property or vandalism

• cruelty to animals

• firesetting behavior

• poor peer relationships and/or social isolation

• involvement with cults or gangs

• little or no supervision or support from parents or other caring adult

• a sense of entitlement -- believing he/she should get what he/she wants at whatever expense

Typically, the greater the number of these warning signs present, the greater the risk.  It is important to realize, however, that many children exhibit these warning signs and never resort to violence.  Even so, these signs can be a cue that something is wrong, and your child needs help.

Parenting Teens

Rules & Boundaries

Family rules and boundaries can provide a sense of stability to teens who are struggling to decipher relationships, roles, and even their own personalities.  Although they may protest loudly against being required to live up to certain standards, when they have a hand in crafting those standards, and when those standards are demanding but fair, teenagers will flourish.  Having something steady, firm, and predictable in a head spinning world is like being handed a map, with NORTH plainly marked.  Clear boundaries and standards are the gauge by which all other information is measured. 

Rules, Boundaries, and Older Children
Is It Ever Too Late to Set up a Living Agreement

For those parents who haven’t set up a structured agreement when their child turns 18, it’s never too late to set one up.  Even if your child is 23, living under your roof and staying out until the wee hours, it’s never too late to sit down with that kid and say, "We’re going to have to have a talk about our rules here and what parts fit you and what parts don’t fit you."  If a kid is 23 years old and he’s not working, he can’t be up until two o’clock in the morning with friends in the house, keeping other people awake.  You may feel obligated to provide that child with a roof over his head.  But you have the right to let him know that "This is not your home for that anymore.  We’re going to bed, we’re tired, we worked all day.  If you’re going to live here, you have to live within our rules."  If he tries to put you down for it, you need to put your foot down.  If that means taking the car keys, then that’s what it means.

Coaching: Focusing on Solutions

& Getting Results You Want

Just as an athletic coach helps players train and condition to reach their individual and team goals, a life coach can help you reach your personal goals and family goals.

Through coaching, you will:

• Gain new tools and have more energy to deal with issues

• Make better decisions for yourself and your family because your focus is clear

• Learn how to be firm and loving, tough and fair -- at the same time

• Learn to be your true self – self-confident and strong

• Experience a greater enjoyment of family and life in general

• Develop a balanced life that works

• Take better and smarter action through goals and purpose

ABOUT THE AUTHOR National CSI support

James Lehman is a behavioral therapist and the creator of The Total Transformation Program for parents. He has worked with troubled children and teens for three decades.  James holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston University. Learn more about the Total Transformation Program

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Last modified: 12/30/11