Notes

Graffiti, Gangs, And (Your) Teen(s)
While walking through a neighborhood recently, I discovered some graffiti publishing in the middle of the streets. I immediately assumed to myself, "wow, do people STILL draw graffiti these kinds of days"?... read more was "nice", "quiet", and everybody fairly much kept to themselves. "So", I think to myself, "WHY would someone(s) specially target a streets in an region like this?... unless, presently there is read more to the story here.

Upon a little further research, I actually discovered that may well have been left-behind traces of a great unruly group. This particular made me imagine this could have got been some type of gang-like activity (sometimes We are a small naive to items that are outside of 'my world'). As I carried on to ponder upon this, it produced me realize that our teens are becoming a growing number of involved in troublesome manners and self-destructive association.

My mother usually said that life is Packed with C-H-O-I-C-E-S.

The current events in the media show young men (and women) wasting countless years of which equal More than REST of their lives behind bars, due to the fact of the alternatives they made earlier to join a gang. It saddens me to believe that they will certainly Not have the opportunity to re-consider their own actions again.

While going home, I came across my own checklist of explanations why all of us are losing our children to "the streets", and violent action. Maybe this list of reasons will achieve at least 1 parent, Youth Innovator, or even some sort of teen who may possibly be able to be able to make it through to some sort of loved one, a close friend, or special someone to them and help them make a decision AGAINST joining a new gang or making ANY potentially violent/harmful decision(s).

My list of why...

: a sense regarding belonging. He / she may not feel connected to his or the girl own family.

: this group might represent the JUST thing they understand as a perception of community.

: he or the girl may be FED UP. Having nothing of interest to them to be able to keep them occupied, or to absolutely impact their moment

- he or perhaps she might be seeking to fit within, feel accepted as a part regarding a bigger crowd.

-- he or she may end up being HURTING, and browsing for SOMEone who else understands them.

: it could be a be sad for help or perhaps attention that they will may feel that they are not finding at your home.

- he or she may have a NEED with regard to an authority-type physique, or anyone to appear up to inside their life.

-- he or she may want in order to be viewed as "cool", or have out to their friends.

- read more or her atmosphere may not end up being very positive or perhaps productive, so they may choose precisely what is "common" and available. As a result, falling into a stereotypical-type scenario.

- he or she or she may possibly not feel that they have inner command instincts, so they might want to follow typically the crowd (we have been taught to be a leader... NEVER a follower)

- he / she may not end up being much of a completely independent thinker, so that they allow others (and other things) to influence their way of thinking and thought method.

I remembered reading through an article inside a Teen Voices Journal on the realities of gang-life, and even how a 16-year old girl contributed her story regarding how and the reason why she joined a gang. Her history was very insiteful, and REAL. The girl mentioned that your woman was searching, trying to fill her need for someone to show her affection, and they loved and cared for her. The girl planned to be accepted, protected, and respectable. She understood that will many kids become a member of gangs; believing that selling drugs, and so forth would eventually fulfill their inner wish for "fancy"cars, and nice(r) clothes. She stated that many feel of which is it doesn't ONLY approach; not realizing the REALity of it.

Bunch violence and acceptance is a part of the society today. This particular issue is ALMOST NEVER addressed (until a person is shot, harmed, or death occurs as a result). My deepest belief is that the RIGHT decisions may be made found in a teen's life, and it most starts with typically the RIGHT conversation. Thus, let's get talkin'.

Andrieka "AJ" Austin is Speaker, Author, and EmPOWERment Contributer for Inspirational Ladies Magazine's 'Better Yourself', Founder and Facilitator of Journey Lady, LLC ( http://www.JourneyGirl.org ); focusing on women self-emPOWERment programming and resources for women and women.

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