How to Keep a Teen out of a Gang

Teenagers can be highly influenced by peers. Sometimes those influences can be negative and susceptible teens may end up associating with deviant groups, particularly gangs. While it has been assumed that young people in lower socio-economic groups and males are more prone to becoming members of gangs, those from more affluent backgrounds, as well as teen girls, can also drift into involvement with gangs, without the proper guidance and safeguards.

Instructions

1. Look out for early signs of gang involvement. These include alienation from the family, symbols repeatedly being worn on clothes or drawn on things belonging to your teen, certain colors being continually worn, mysterious cash your teen has that she has no real explanation for, rebellion to authority at home and school, sneaking out or staying out late at night and getting in trouble with the law. The important thing is to catch these signs in the beginning, so you can work to get your child out of a gang, before she gets too firmly entrenched into the lifestyle.

2. Make certain that your teen has positive role models, starting with you. Set a good example for your teen by the way you conduct your own life. Be responsible for your actions and have a strong work ethic. Be careful about the type of friends you have and refrain from abusing alcohol and/or drugs and being promiscuous. Encourage adults who are successful, caring and dependable to serve as mentors to your child and gear him or her in the right direction. Teens from single-parent homes especially need good role models they can look up to.

3. Set the proper perimeters. Give your teen a firm foundation by establishing rules for your household that you follow through on enforcing, letting him know what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behavior and telling him the consequences for disobedience. Some parents do not want to discipline their child, out of fear that they will not be "liked," but youngsters need structure. Teens who are left to their own devices are at high risk of becoming involved with gangs.

4. Give your teen sufficient love, support and encouragement. Those who gravitate towards gangs sometimes do so because they feel neglected. Spend quality time with your teen, talk with him and listen to what he or she has to say. Praise more than criticize. If children feel valued, they won't have to seek emotional validation from the wrong people.

5. Get your teen to participate in extracurricular groups and activities. Some examples of this are sports, music lessons, dance lessons, youth church groups, special organizations, such as the Boys Club or Girls Club and volunteer groups. Some teens become part of a gang when they are bored and in need of something to do. Teens need to be engaged in some kind of activity. Make sure yours is participating in something positive.

Tips & Warnings

• If you see early signs of gang involvement, get your child counseling immediately.

Resources

• SafeYouth.org: Youth Gangs and Violence
• At Risk Youth and At Risk Teen Resources