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Myths and Facts
Common Myths and Facts About Gangs [14 Apr @ 11:00pm]
Myth #;;;;1 Respect in gangs really means fear. If you join a gang, you will constantly have to commit crimes in order to keep other gang members afraid of you. This kind of respect will disappear the first time you fail to hurt someone who insults you or puts you down. It’s not real and it doesn’t last. Myth #;;;;2 While you may believe that joining a gang will protect you from bullies or other gang members, being in a gang greatly increases your chances of being a target for rival gang members. You are far more likely to be injured or killed if you are in a gang. Even if you get out of the gang, your rivals will remember you and may still try to hurt or kill you. Myth #;;;;3 Most gang members make very little money being part of a gang. Those who do make money usually end up doing time. Getting your education is the key to making money and ensuring a future — not joining a gang. Myth #;;;;4 In a gang, you’ll also make a lot of enemies. Your friends who haven’t joined the gang may stop wanting to be around you. Your gang may not approve if you have friends or date outside the gang. They will question and test your loyalty. Myth #;;;;5 Real families don’t force people to commit crimes just to get respect and love. Real families accept you and love you for who and what you are. Even if your real family is having problems, being in a gang will not solve them — it will only make things worse. Myth #;;;;6 Gang members decide to leave the gang lifestyle every day. In some cases, getting out isn’t easy and may require you to leave your home, school or community in order to be safe. The best option, however, is to stay out of gangs in the first place. My gang will protect me, and I will feel safe. Wrong! While you may believe that joining a gang will protect you from bullies or other gang members, being in a gang greatly increases your chances to be a target for rival gang members. You are far more likely to be injured or killed if you are in a gang. Many former gang members report that they had to change their lives dramatically as a gang member. They could no longer wear clothing they used to wear. They got into fights while attending school with rival gang members, and ended up dropping out of school. They felt unsafe going out of their neighborhoods, and they couldn't ever be sure where they might be confronted by rivals. Even if they got out of gangs, their rivals didn't forget them. They still had many enemies who might hurt or kill them. Other people will respect me more if I am in a gang. Wrong! Respect in many gangs really means fear. If you join a gang, you will constantly have to commit crimes in order to keep other gang members afraid of you. At any age, respect is something you can earn by getting an education and accomplishing goals in your life. Respect in the gang culture will go away the first time you fail to hurt someone who insults you or puts you down. That kind of respect isn't real, and it doesn't last. Joining a gang means I'll have lots of friends. You will have friends, but you'll also make lots of enemies--the members of rival gangs. Also, your friends who haven't joined the gang may stop wanting to be around you. Your gang may not approve if you have friends or date people outside the gang. They may question and test your loyalty, and insist that you hang out only with them. My gang will be just like a family. Wrong! Real families don't force people to commit crimes to get respect and love. Real families accept you and love you for who and what you are. Even if your family is having problems, being in a gang will not solve them--it will only make things worse. If you join a gang, your family members may become targets for rival gangs. Joining a gang will only increase the number of fights you have with your parents. You will eventually get into trouble with the law, and your parents and family members will be hurt and disappointed. You will set a bad example for your brothers and sisters. You will not find the kind of love you're looking for from a gang. I'll make lots of money if I'm in a gang. Most gang members make very little money being part of a gang. Those who do, usually end up doing time. Plus, if you're in a gang, it's far more likely that you'll drop out of school because of problems with rival gang members. Getting your education is the key to making money--not joining a gang. I can never get out of my gang. Wrong! Gang members decide to leave the gang lifestyle every day in cities around the U.S. It is a myth that the only way to leave a gang is by dying. Most gang members who leave are able to live normal lives, going to school and working just like everyone else. However, in some cases, getting out of a gang isn't easy, and you may have to leave your home, school or community in order to be safe. It IS easier to get into a gang than to get out of one, but you can choose to leave the gang life today. There are many more examples of people who have successfully walked away from gangs. The best option of all, however, is to stay out of gangs in the first place. Who Joins a Gang, Membership Levels and Signs to watch for Who joins gangs? Gangs are not restricted to one ethnic or socioeconomic group. They cross neighborhood boundaries, and exist in all areas of the state. Both boys and girls get involved in gangs. Potential gang recruits may suffer from a poor self-image or low self-esteem, and may feel isolated from their peers. While some kids may be actively recruited, some join the gang by default--they are never discouraged from getting involved in the lifestyle. Many gang members have infrequent contact with positive adults; the gang begins to replace their families. Why do kids join gangs? Kids join gangs for many reasons, and the circumstances differ with each individual member. Common reasons for a child to join a gang include: Low self-esteem Family Issues Peer Pressure Respect/Recognition Excitement Protection / Fear Family Involvement No Discouragement to Join Fast Money Shock Value A chance to feel important and be somebody Forced into the gang because of environment Shock their parents There is no one thing that will push a child to join a gang, and s/he will not become a hard-core gang member overnight. Many times, a child joins a gang because s/he has a great need to feel important, and welcome in a group. If that need is not met in a positive fashion, the child will go looking for reinforcement from any group. What are the levels of membership? It takes a while for a child to be accepted by a gang. They must prove their loyalty to the group through certain actions. Fantasy/At-risk Member (30%) This is a child who is fascinated and obsessed with the gang lifestyle. S/he is aware of media images of gangs, and may imitate the behavior s/he sees on the movie screen, or hears in the music s/he listens to. The gang attracts his/her attention, but is not a major part of his/her life. Associate Member (40%) This is a child who has gained knowledge about a particular gang, and is attempting to prove him/herself to that gang. He/she will wear the gang's colors, hang out with members on a regular basis, and may begin to draw the gang's graffiti on his/her school notebooks. The child will begin to have difficulties at home and in school, and will be hanging out regularly with gang members. At this stage, the child is willing to do anything to get into the gang, and therefore may be very dangerous. Member/Hardcore Member (30%) When a kid has proven his/her loyalty to the gang, s/he is initiated into the gang, often by being "jumped in". This usually consists of being beaten by the other members for a certain period of time. The hardcore member may readily admit, and be proud of his/her membership. S/he may tattoo the gang name or symbol on his/her body, and will most likely have committed some sort of gang crime. S/he may also have spent time in jail. When kids get to this stage, they are usually not involved with school, and have little to no contact with their real family. Hardcore members call the shots in the gang - they are "in charge."
Bullying: the facts [14 Apr @ 11:00pm]
There are many reasons why people bully others. It may be that they're unhappy and taking it out on someone else. Many people who bully have low self-esteem, and bullying can be a way of coping with it. In some cases, people who bully are also being bullied themselves. Others are encouraged by their friends to bully, and they do it because they don't want to be left out. Some people pick on others because they're looking for attention or because they’re feeling jealous. If you witness a bullying incident, it's important to do something. Don't just walk away and ignore it. You can tell the bullies to stop doing it, so long as you’re not afraid that it will lead to a confrontation. The best thing to do is talk to someone, such as a teacher, parent or friend. If you’re worried about doing this, leave an anonymous note for the teacher explaining the situation. Then the teacher will at least be aware of what’s going on. Or call ChildLine on 0800 1111. If you're being bullied, you don't have to put up with it. There are many people and organisations that can help you. Bullying can take many forms: from teasing and spreading rumours to pushing someone around and causing physical harm. It often happens in front of other people. It includes name calling, mocking, kicking, taking belongings, writing or drawing offensive graffiti, messing around with people’s belongings, gossiping, excluding people from groups, and threatening others Children and young people are bullied for all sorts of reasons. It can be due to their race, their religion, their appearance, their sexual orientation, because they have a disability or because of their home circumstances. People are bullied for being black, white, fat, clever, gay or red-haired. These are a few examples. But people are sometimes picked on for no reason. Cyberbullying is any form of bullying that involves the use of mobile phones or the internet. For example, sending offensive text messages and emails, circulating degrading images on the internet, or impersonating someone on social networking sites such as Bebo and Facebook. Bullying makes the lives of its victims miserable. It undermines their confidence and destroys their sense of security. Bullying on can cause sadness, loneliness, low self-esteem, fear, anxiety and poor concentration, and lead to self-harm, depression, suicidal thoughts and, in some cases, suicide. Bullying can also affect children and young people's attendance and progress at school. If you’re worried about being judged, and don't want to speak to anyone you know, you can get help anonymously by calling ChildLine on 0800 1111. Childline advisers will listen to any child whatever the problem, and give advice.
Exercise [15 Apr @ 1:45pm]
Exercise is a great stress buster. It can help you lose weight but, more importantly, it will lower your risk of developing major chronic diseases. At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on five or more days a week is all that you need to start reaping the health benefits. Children and young people need to be active for at least an hour every day, for example, through active play, sport or walking to and from school. We know that reduced or no physical activity can have serious health consequences. Even a little bit of activity can lower the risk of developing major chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, some cancers and type two diabetes, by up to 50%. It can cut the risk of premature death by 20% to 30%. The benefits of physical activity include: •better health •more energy •reduced stress •stronger bones and muscles •better balance, strength, suppleness and mobility •improved sleep •improved body shape •reaching and maintaining a healthy weight •more social opportunities •a sense of achievement •more independence in later life
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