4 Parents

How can you keep your child from joining a gang?  Here are a few ideas:

• Get your child involved in special activities, such as sports, music, or art.
• Volunteer at your child’s school.
• Establish rules; set limits; be consistent, firm, and fair.
• Get to know your child’s friends and their parents.
• Listen to your child.  Show respect for your child’s feelings and attitudes.
• Do not buy or allow your child to buy gang-style clothing.
• Educate yourself about gang activity in your community.
• Know where your child is at all times.
• Get your child involved in quality, out-of-school time activities.
• Demonstrate love and acceptance at home. 

 When should you be concerned about your child’s possible involvement in a gang? 

When s/he:

• Admits having friends who are gang members.
• Is obsessed with one particular color or style of clothing.
• Withdraws from and shows disrespect toward your family.
• Associates with new, unknown or undesirable friends.
• Shows excessive need for secrecy and privacy.
• Is obsessed with gang-influenced music, videos, or movies to the point of imitation.
• Uses hand signals while with friends and practices them at home. 

If there is evidence or the appearance of:

• Physical injury and your child will not discuss the events surrounding the injury.
• Peculiar drawings or language on notebooks.
• Possible use of alcohol and drugs with an attitude change.
• Unexplained cash or goods, i.e. clothing or jewelry.

What if my child is already in a gang?

• It is difficult but sometimes possible to get out.
• Don’t try to handle the situation on your own.  Get help.
• Call Gang of One - there are people and agencies who want to help you and your child.
• Let your child know that you are there for them.
• Let your child know that there are other people and agencies there for them.
• Let your child also know that these same people are observing their behavior, sending a clear message that the community is not going to tolerate any gang infiltration.