The Impact of Parents on Gangs

Violence in the Home

• Many gang members turn to this lifestyle because of how they are treated at home. When a child does not feel loved at home, he might turn to gangs for acceptance. In addition, some teens join gangs to escape abuse within the home. This abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, according to Mike Carlie, who has a doctorate in sociology, in his online book, "Into the Abyss: A Personal Journey into the World of Street Gangs." Parents can prevent their teens from joining gangs and diminish the gang presence in their area by providing a safe and loving environment for their children, while discouraging all types of violence.

Communication

• Parents can prevent gang activity by communicating with their teens regularly. When a teen feels neglected, she will find the attention that she craves elsewhere. While this does not always lead to gang activity, there is a chance that this will occur. Low self-esteem often leads to involvement in gangs. By speaking with your teen about her life, you can provide her with a warm environment, so that she does not feel the need to escape into a gang, suggest the experts at HealthyChildren.org. It is particularly important for single parents or those who have just taken over guardianship of a teen to communicate with her, because the U.S. Department of Justice reports that these family structures present an increased risk the that a teen will join a gang.

Warning Signs

• Watching for warning signs can help parents prevent their teens from joining a gang. These warning signs include suddenly having extra money, wearing only one type of clothing, using drugs, a marked change in dialect and withdrawing from family and other commitments. If you see your teen exhibiting this type of behavior, talk to him more to see what he is doing, reports the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The more you speak with your teen about the dangers of joining a gang, AACAP advises, the better chance you have of keeping him away.

Help for Parents

• If your teen has already joined a gang, you can still get involved and reverse the process. Start by contacting the local police and letting them know about your child's involvement. Although you might have to take responsibility for your child's past crimes, according to AACAP, it is well worth it if you can save your teen's life. The police will sometimes put you in contact with a juvenile officer who will know all about the gang that your child has joined. At that point, the officer is able to explain how to get your child out of the gang and can help you out along the way.