| Many
communities (maybe the one you live in) have serious problems with
gangs. There are many kinds of gangs, but whatever kind your community
is dealing with, gangs spell trouble. They cause fear, destroy property,
threaten or hurt peaceable residents, and drive out businesses.
Parents can do a lot to prevent gang problems or stop and reduce
gang problems already in place. Most important, there’s a
lot that parents like you can do to keep your own children from
joining gangs:
- Learn about
gangs and signs of gang activity.
- Sharpen your skills as a parent and use them.
- Join with others to make or keep your neighborhood gang free.
Sharpen
your skills as a parent
Many
gang members say they joined because the gang offered them support,
caring, and a sense of order and purpose - all the things that most
parents try to give their kids. The odds are that the better you
meet these needs, the less need you children will see for gangs.
Here are some parenting skills that are especially important:
- Talk with
listen to your child. Spend some special time with each child
- Put a high
value on education and help your child to do his or her best in
school. Do everything possible to prevent dropping out
- Help your
kids identify positive role models and heroes - especially people
right in your community
- Do everything
possible to involve your children in supervised, positive group
activities
- Praise them
for doing well and encourage them to do their very best - to stretch
their skills to the utmost
- Know what
your children are doing and whom they are with. Know about their
friends and their friends’ families
Don’t forget to talk about gangs.
The best time is before there’s a major problem. Tell your
child that
- you disapprove
of gangs
- you don’t
want to see your child hurt or arrested
- you see your
child as special, and worth protecting
- you want
to help your child with problems
- family members
don’t keep secrets from each other
- you an other
parents are working together against gangs.
Don’t forget to listen to your child
as well!
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