GIRL GANGS

 It is difficult to concieve that our lovely, gentle, pink bowed and nylon cladded baby girls could become anything but sweet with the proverbial "sugar and spice and all that's nice".

As a world culture it was a general belief that girls were more mild mannered , playing with dolls and dreaming of nurturing a family some day compared to their male counterparts. Girls had tended to receive more tender nurturing and handling a bit more protection as well.

As modern parents and mothers in general, some of whom were influenced by the women's liberation movement, own up bringings , the stress of wars, working parents, drugs,alcoholism and workaholism.

The values of some parents changed with time. There is less family support for many young families with the disappearance and or the physical distance of the extended family. The emergence of 'latch key kids ' and after school programs, pagers and cell phones, tv's with satellite and cable ,the world wide web and long gaps of time alone before a tired, frustrated adult arrives home. Who is raising the kids? Who gives the young the most time and attention?

For some , even those who have bedrooms like the Kardshians and tennis courts and swimming pools in their backyards, there is often a lot of anger and disrespect from child to parents. An attitude that the parent is not doing enough and sometime interpreted by the parents that "I have to give this child more! A new car or a new recently released electronic gadget.

But is that what the young person is really looking for? No, They are seeking what few parents can give, time and attention.

Some gangs are well intended. They stick up for the underdogs, the people who are harrassed attached and teased by bullies. Gangs are formed to counter other gangs.They are formed to provide the family system that some kids are searching for. If your known system is dysfunctional and is not meeting the deep needs of the youngster then they are at risk for forming or becomming a part of a new constitution. A gang.

They find support, protection, unity, strength, responsibility, provision and respect in these false family structure. The desire for power and control over their domains and the desire to not be controlled by males is also a reason for girls to join female gangs. It is interesting, that the same girl who will not do chores, or cooperate with the authority of her parents, will cooperate with the gang leader and perform her responsibiliteis within the gang!

Many girls in a mixed gang is exploited sexually physically abused or made to commit crimminal activities so being a part of a female gang some believe that they would avoid this type of exploitation.

Signs of Gang involvement

Change in types of friends, changes in dress habits, such as wearing the same color combination all the time (note: that style changes quickly and just because a child wears a certain type of clothing does not mean she is in a gang) displaying gang symbols on books, clothing, or locker, wearing tattoos, carrying extra cash from unknown sources,carrying a weapon, losing interest in school and family,getting arrested or detained by police, becoming truant,using alcohol and other drugs,talking in gang-style language,using hand signals to communicate with others.

It’s a Family Affair… Taking a Pro-Active Approach. If the family member is in a gang, tell them under no certain terms will you tolerate any gang language, gang clothing, gang friends, and so forth, in your home.

Adopt a zero tolerance approach.

Let's not think "not my kid" become a proactive parent or guardian today. Please let us hear about the incidents of girl gangs in your community. It is already happening in my neck of the woods.