Title: Gangs and Children
Headings: Gangs and Children
Gangs and Children
If you need immediate assistance, please dial 911.

Content: Too little adult supervision. Unstructured free time, particularly during after-school hours and on the weekends. A lack of positive roles models and exposure to media (television, movies, music) that glorifies gang violence. Low self esteem. Sense of hopelessness about the future because of limited educational or financial opportunity. Underlying mental-health issues or behavioral disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Parents can help to decrease the risk that their child may become involved in a gang by: Closely monitoring where their child is and what they are doing. Involving them in extracurricular activities such as afterschool programs, or athletics, art, community organizations or religious groups. Meeting their children's friends and their parents.