Teens and Gangs
Are there gangs in your neighborhood? Do you or your teenager know gang members? Have you ever suspected your teen of being involved in any gang activities?
According to the 2004 National Youth Gang Survey (the most recent year for which statistics are available), reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 760,00 gang members and 24,000 gangs were active in that year. This was in cities with populations of 2,500 or more. The survey also included reports of gang activity in smaller communities and rural areas.
Do you worry about your teen becoming involved with a gang? The Seattle Social Development Project Study(2001) reported on early precursors of gang membership. Some of the suggested reasons that youth join gangs are:
*antisocial influences in neighborhoods
*antisocial tendencies in families and peers
*failure to perform well in school
*early initiation of individual problem behaviors
The project also divided risk factors into particular areas, such as neighborhoods, families, schools and individual risk factors. Following are some of the risk factors in particular areas which increase the likelihood of joining gangs.
Neighborhoods
*availability of marijuana
*neighborhood youth in trouble
*low neighborhood attachment
Family
*one parent only
*one parent plus other adults
*parental attitude favoring violence
School
*learning disabled
*low academic achievement
*low school attachment
Individual
*early marijuana use
*early violence
*antisocial beliefs
*externalizing behaviors
These are reasons youths join gangs and risk factors which can predict gang involvement. Tomorrow, we will talk about what parents can do to help prevent their teens’ involvement in gangs.
teens, teenagers, parents, parenting, gangs, gang behavior, gang involvement, violence, Seattle Social Development Project
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