The question of "Is your child or teen at risk for gangs?" has become much more serious. There are many factors that go into a risk assessment. However, the biggest and most overlooked factor is that of an applicant's home environment.
In today's the United States, we have seen a dramatic increase in crime. This has especially been true of teenagers. In the past, the majority of gang activity occurred in inner-city areas, or in schools. But there are now a significant number of gangs that have "settled" into suburban neighborhoods. These gangs tend to target middle-class youth. They often target weaker children who may be easier targets for their members because of their vulnerability.
If your child or teen is hanging around with other teenagers who may be involved with gangs, then that is a very good indicator. What does that mean for you as a parent? Are you at risk for gangs? If you believe that your child or teen is not at risk, then you need to take steps to remove that potential risk. But how can you be sure that your child is not at risk?
First, if your child or teen is hanging around with others who may be at risk for gangs, that means they are exposed to criminal activity on a regular basis. It is likely that your child or teen meets individuals who regularly engage in criminal activity. For example, they may meet someone at the mall who has a lengthy criminal history, or someone they meet at the local mall who is associating with other criminals. They may also meet people in school who are associated with other troubled teens. All of these are situations that cause increased risk.
Second, your child or teen is more likely to become involved in gang activity if they live in an area where there is a high concentration of other teens who are at risk for gangs. Many of the urban centers are the same conditions. They are poor areas where crime is widespread and the lack of jobs leaves these areas with few choices for teens. There are not enough jobs in these areas to provide decent wages. This lack of options for teens who are at risk for gangs leaves them vulnerable to criminal activity.
Third, your child or teen may not be at risk for gangs until he or she begins to take part in gang activity or be a member of a gang. Gangs do not make individuals more prone to crime; they make them more prone to crime when they are older. Therefore, your child or teen is at risk until he or she becomes a member of a gang. If you are concerned that your child or teen may be at risk for gang activity, you can begin to take steps to get your child or teen help.
When you are thinking about how to teach your child or teen about gangs, you should remember that it does not have to be difficult. There are many resources available that can help you learn more about what gangs are and how to tell if your child or teen is at risk for gangs. Your local library has numerous books that can help you learn more about this important topic. You can also find many websites that offer advice for parents like yourself on how to approach this important issue.
The important thing is to know how to identify the problems that are making your child or teen at risk for gangs. Once you have found out if your child or teen is at risk, you need to take the necessary steps to help prevent him or her from joining a gang. In the meantime, you should encourage your child or teen to be involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible. With the right tools and guidance, you can help to put your child or teen on the path to a successful life.
