NCJ Number
141655
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Winter 1993) Pages: 8-11
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Recognizing the process of juvenile gang formation enables both school administrators and the community to avoid denial and take preventive action.
Abstract
Youth gangs exist in urban, suburban, and rural schools. A 1988 study identified denial as a leading obstacle to effectively managing the youth gang problem. Many gangs start as informal social groups with common interests. They attract impressionable youths, especially around age 12 or 13; and youths seeking power, status, security, a substitute for the family, friendship, or love. They gradually become hostile toward nonmembers and develop into fighting gangs. Their fights at school are often spillovers from weekend altercations in the community. Gangs include people from different ages and races, both genders, and diverse academic achievement, and economic levels. Signs of gang involvement include wearing certain colors or types of clothing, graffiti, uncommon words or hand signs, and symbols or tattoos on the clothes or body. Suspicious wounds or bruises may indicate initiation into a gang by means of a beating. Administrative strategies to address gangs include developing a working definition and plan of action, having a policy of no tolerance of gang activity, training, and creating a mediation process to handle conflicts. Classroom teachers and support staff must also ensure the firm, fair, and consistent treatment of all students. Schools must also educate parents about gangs and methods to address them. They should also communicate and reinforce student rights and responsibilities. Networking among multiple agencies should also be part of the community effort to deal with youth gangs. Footnotes