How to Keep Your Children out of Bad Gangs

Gangs begin recruiting members at a young age, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, so it is important that parents be aware of this trend and be able to do something about it. Once the child joins a gang, exposure to violence and other illegal activities could follow. Many gangs pressure members to commit illegal acts, drink alcohol, do drugs and engage in sexual activities. Parents should maintain awareness of the risks and do everything possible to prevent this from occurring.

Instructions

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      Create a loving home environment. Many teens who turn to gangs do so because they do not feel accepted by their families. In other cases, abuse within the home, whether it is emotional, physical or sexual, can lead to teens joining gangs to feel protected, according to Mike Carlie, Ph.D., in his online book entitled "Into the Abyss: A Personal Journey into the World of Street Gangs."

    • 2

      Watch for signals of gang involvement. Before your teen becomes a gang member, she will probably start hanging out with other members. You could notice a change in her demeanor, attitude and the way in which she dresses, reports the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Drug use and a change in speaking patterns can signal drug use, as the teen tries to fit in with this new group. Many teens will start to withdraw from their family and old friends, so keep an eye on your child's social circle.

    • 3

      Communicate with your teen. This communication does not necessarily have to include talking about gangs, but sitting down for regular chats can keep parents up-to-date on their teen's life and provide the teen with some much needed attention. When a teen does not get this attention at home, he could develop low self-esteem and could act out in search of an environment where he feels important, suggests the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org website.

    • 4

      Contact local law enforcement. Even if the teen has not yet joined a gang, spending time with members could land him in trouble, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Speaking with a police officer can alert the child about the dangers involved with joining a gang and, in some cases, can prevent him from going down that path.

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