A Criminal Gang is a formal or informal ongoing organization, association, or group consisting of three or more persons that has as one of it’s primary activities the commission of criminal or delinquent acts, and have a common name, identifying signs, colors, and symbols. There is gang presence in all 500 states in not only in urban areas but suburban and rural locations as well. Pop culture tends to glorify the “gang culture” making it look appealing to a young audience through television, movies, music, and video games. The youth see a life of money, flashy cars, women, and power and begin to want that “glamorous” lifestyle. The truth is, it is not a life of glamour, but rather a life of illegal, dangerous, and sometimes life ending activity. Youth exposed to the excitement of a gang do not realize the dangers of the gang lifestyle until it is too late. To ensure that our children are protected from the possibility of joining a gang, as parents it is important to be good role models to our children and promote a positive lifestyle.
Why Do Kids Join Gangs?
Youth gangs are very prevalent because sometimes children can be easily talked into doing things. Members of a youth gang are typically aged 12-24 years old; however, children both boys and girls as young as the age of 9 have been recruited in gangs before.
- Acceptance
- Many children feel they are not getting the attention they deserve at home or school and are looking for another source of attention and acceptance.
- Excitement
- Some children crave the thrill of committing crimes and getting away with it. Sometimes they commit crimes just for the adrenaline they get from being chased by the police.
- Money
- Many children are looking for ways to earn money and can do so through illegal activities such as selling drugs, robberies, burglaries, and auto thefts.
- Pressure
- Kids that are friends with gang members are often times pressured into joining the gang by current members. Sometimes gang members threaten injury or death to push another into joining.
- Protection
- Children who are frequently bullied sometimes find it easier to be a member of a gang where they have protection from fellow members against victimization.
- Socialization
- Gangs often throw parties where there is easy access to liquor, drugs, and sex.
Potential Signs of Gang Involvement
It is normal during adolescence for kids to rebel against their parents or authority; however if the behavior continues and worsens, it may be an indicator that it is a bigger problem than normal acting out. Keep an eye out for several of the potential signs of gang involvement and address them immediately.
- Wearing colors on clothing or accessories specific to a gang
- Special hand signals
- Unique tattoo symbols
- Graffiti
- Gang symbols being written or displayed
- Clothing that suggests gang involvement
- Possession of unexplained large amounts of money
- Changes in friends
- Attitude changes
- Violent outbursts
- Refusal to respect authority such as parents, teachers, police
- Secretive behavior
- Poor school performance
- Frequently skipping school
- Numerous phone calls from individuals who won’t identify themselves
- Your child going by an unusual nickname
- Negative contact with school officials and law enforcement
- Involvement with known or suspected gang members
- Interest in weapons such as guns and knives
- Withdrawal from family
- Excessive disobedience of parents
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- Alcohol and/or drug use
Identifying Presence of a Gang
Gang Clothing
Gang clothing identifies members the gang and intimidates those in in the gang. Wearing a certain colored shoe lace, bandana, beads, custom t-shirts of hats can all be identifiers of a specific gang.
Codes to Communicate
Hand signs specific to a gang are often used for members to communicate with each other. Secret codes and slang are also used when speaking and writing messages. This is so rival gangs and law enforcement don’t know what they are speaking about.
Gang Tattoos
Gang members often get tattoos representing their gang. They use letters, acronyms, pictures or symbols. Branding is also frequently used.
Gang Weapons
Many different weapons are used and carried by gang members including shotguns, handguns, knives, brass knuckles, bats, and explosives. Many times these weapons are stolen.
Gang Crime
Gang members commit many different crimes to make money, gain status, and for initiation purposes. Common crimes include drug trafficking, armed robbery, auto theft, drive by shootings, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, and murder.
Warning Signs of Gang Violence
Several signs indicate when gang violence is imminent such as clustering of rival gangs, crossing out graffiti, and violent incidents in the neighborhood.
Tips for Parents
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- Recognize your children and praise them for doing good things
- Support positive youth-related activities such as sports, youth groups, and after-school programs
- Urge children to participate in positive activities
- Get to know your children’s friends and their families
- Set a good example for your children
- Surround your children with positive role models
- Talk to your children about gangs and the dangers associated with them
- Have frequent conversations with your children and listen to them
- Monitor their social media accounts
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- Spend quality time with your children
- Put a high value on education
- Pay attention to your child’s behavior
- Check their room for gang paraphernalia, weapons, and drugs
- Report any crimes that you suspect your child or their friends are involved in
- Ask your children questions to learn about their daily activities, friends, and beliefs
- Teach your children decision making skills to help them make the right choices
- Do not let your child dress like gang members
- Team up with other parents to have interventions with troubled children in gangs
- Ask school staff if they recognize gang-related behavior and if they are familiar with gang risk factors
The Inevitable
It is almost guaranteed that a child joining a gang will end with imprisonment or even possibly death. Research shows that youth who are gang involved are more likely to commit crimes, which increases the probability of arrest and incarceration and becoming victims of violence themselves. Even if a young gang member is arrested, it does not mean they are on the road to rehabilitation. Gangs are extremely prevalent in the prison system. Parents and educators must take a zero-tolerance stance on any gang-related activity to prevent gang membership from even happening in our youth.
Sources: Drug Gangs Recruiting Nine Year Olds, What is a Gang?, Gangs, Parents Guide to Gangs
Photo Credit: Pixabay
