Disturbing Gang Membership

Parents, schools, and society can use many prevention strategies in order to curb gang membership. First of all, parents can help curb gang membership by talking to their child about the negative consequences of gang behaviors, getting to know their child’s friends and their parents, monitoring their child’s online activity, and by setting firm limits with their child (Parents’ Guide, 2015). By being firm with expectations and being clear that, as their parent, you disapprove of gangs, this can help prevent gang membership (Parents’ Guide, 2015). Parents also curb gang membership by being aware of their child’s attitudes toward drugs and alcohol and by paying attention to their friend groups (Parents’ Guide, 2015). Society can institute gang
prevention programs in order to curb gang membership ( “Comprehensive Gang”, n.d.). For example, “the Gang Violence Reduction Program in Chicago, Illinois, targeted approximately 200 hard-core gang youth” (“Comprehensive Gang”, n.d.,p.7). The youth in the program “had significantly fewer total violent and drug arrests than comparison youth”(“Comprehensive Gang”, n.d.,p.7). The Comprehensive Gang Model reduced gang violence is certain locations (“Comprehensive Gang”, n.d.). Risk factors associated with gang membership and school include: “low academic aspirations, low school attachment/bonding, low motivation, low commitment to school, poorly organized and functioning school, inadequate school climate, negative labeling by teachers, and unsafe schools” (“Comprehensive Gang”, n.d. p.4). Therefore, schools need to encourage students to do well in school, make fun, attention-grabbing activities, and they need to verify that teachers are only providing positive, encouraging comments towards all students. Schools can also become more organized and efficient so that they can prevent their students from enrolling in a gang (“Comprehensive Gang”, n.d.). In conclusion, parents, schools, and society need to provide more assistance and encouragement in order to curb gang membership and reduce gang-related violence in communities.