Notes

Graffiti, Gangs, And (Your) Teen(s)
While walking through the neighborhood recently, I noticed some graffiti composing in the midsection of the road. I immediately believed to myself, "wow, do people NONETHELESS draw graffiti these days"?... Now this particular neighborhood was "nice", "quiet", and everybody fairly much kept to themselves. "So", I believed to myself, "WHY would someone(s) deliberately target a road in an area such as this?... unless, there is more in order to the story here.

Upon a small further research, My partner and i discovered this may well have been left-behind traces of a good unruly group. This particular made me imagine this could possess been some form of gang-like activity (sometimes My partner and i is a little naive to things that are outside the house of 'my world'). As I continued to ponder in this, it made me realize of which our teens happen to be becoming increasingly more engaged in troublesome behaviours and self-destructive rassemblement.

My mother constantly said that existence is Filled with C-H-O-I-C-E-S.

The current events in the reports show young males (and women) spending countless years that equal MORE than the RELAXATION of their life behind bars, mainly because of the options they made in the past to join a gang. It saddens me to think that they may Not have the chance to re-consider their actions again.

While going home, I came up with my own record of explanations why many of us are losing our kids to "the streets", and violent exercise. Maybe this set of reasons will reach at least one particular parent, Youth Chief, or even some sort of teen who may possibly be able to get through to a new loved one, a close friend, or someone special to them plus help them determine AGAINST joining a gang or making ANY potentially violent/harmful decision(s).

My checklist of why...

instructions a sense regarding belonging. She or he may not feel attached to his or your ex own family.

- this group may possibly represent the ONLY thing they acknowledge as a sense of community.

: he or the lady may be TIRED. Having nothing appealing to them to keep them occupied, or to efficiently impact their moment

- he or she might be trying to fit within, feel accepted as a part of a greater crowd.

instructions he / she may become HURTING, and browsing for SOMEone that understands them.

: it MAY be a cry for help or attention that they will may feel that they are not finding in your own home.

- he or she or she could have a NEED intended for an authority-type physique, or anyone to seem up to found in their life.

- he or the girl may want to be able to be viewed as "cool", or endure out to their own friends.

- his / her or her environment may not be very positive or productive, so they really may possibly choose what is "common" and available to them. Hence, falling in to get more info -type scenario.

- he or she or she may well not believe that that they have inner management instincts, so they will might want to follow the crowd (we have been taught to be some sort of leader... NEVER a new follower)

- he or she may not end up being much of a completely independent thinker, so they allow others (and other things) to be able to influence their mindset and thought procedure.

I remembered looking at an article in the Teen Voices Mag on the realities of gang-life, in addition to how a 16-year old girl distributed her story regarding how and exactly why she joined the gang. Her tale was very insiteful, and REAL. She mentioned that the lady was searching, seeking to fill the girl need for anyone to show her love, and that they loved and looked after her. She wished to be recognized, protected, and respectable. She understood of which many kids sign up for gangs; believing that selling drugs, etc . would eventually satisfy their inner desire to have "fancy"cars, and nice(r) clothes. read more declared that many feel that is it doesn't ONLY approach; not realizing the REALity of it all.

Company violence and popularity is a section of our society today. This issue is SELDOM addressed (until someone is shot, injured, or death takes place as a result). My deepest belief is that the RIGHT judgements could be made inside a teen's lifestyle, and it most starts with the particular RIGHT conversation. Thus, let's get talkin'.

Andrieka "AJ" Downtown is Speaker, Writer, and EmPOWERment Contributer for Inspirational Females Magazine's 'Better Yourself', Founder and Facilitator of Journey Girl, LLC ( http://www.JourneyGirl.org ); specializing in feminine self-emPOWERment programming and resources for women and women.

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