GANG TIPS FOR PARENTS
Prevention is the key to controlling gang activity. Many parents are unaware that their children are involved in gang activity. Many of the younger gang members are not aware of the realities of the violence associated with gang membership or the finality of death. A child’s self-esteem is nurtured in a supportive home where he or she feels safe, loved, and valued.
A child with a positive self-esteem is more likely to avoid dangerous situations and be less open to gangs. Building self-esteem must begin at a very early age an continue throughout childhood.
- Spend quality time with your child – if you don’t; gangs will
- Get involved in your child’s school activities
- Be a good listener to your child and help them develop their self esteem.
- Communicate with them about their hopes and dreams as well as their fears and concerns.
- Know where your child is at all times
- Require them to call if they are going to be late
- Encourage good study habits
- Monitor internet sites that your child may visit
- Monitor your child’s social media presence.
- Be involved in community activities with your child
- Get to know your child’s friends and their parents
- Avoid denial. Parents sometimes refuse to believe their kids could be involved
- Make surprise visits to your child’s school and see if they have changed their clothes from when he/she left the house
- Have one on one talks with your child at least once a month
- Know what is in your child’s rooms – there is no such thing as a child’s privacy
- At an appropriate age, which may be younger than you think, have truthful discussions about drugs, sex, alcohol, gangs, and tobacco
- Monitor and control your child’s behavior. Be firm but fair
- Be a good role model for your child and set standards for acceptable behavior
- Build positive self-esteem in your child.
- Teach your child how to cope with peer pressure and bullying
- Help your child develop good conflict resolution skills
- Give your child positive role models to identify with as well as those who are local they can go to for help if needed.
- Contact the parents of a child that you see could be moving in a direction that you feel could be unsafe. The parent’s buddy system.
- Notify school administrators and local law enforcement of gang graffiti as soon as it appears
- Parents should explain that associating with gangs, attending parties that are sponsored by gangs, using gang hand signs symbols, slang, language or wearing commonly known gang attire or mimicking gang behavior is absolutely not acceptable – not just by your standards but could land them being threatened by the gang itself.
- Educate yourself on gangs and how they negatively impact communities by requesting a Gang Awareness class from us or your local law enforcement agency.
- Contact your legislators about supporting gang reduction efforts.
