Kokoa Magazine

private school. Growing up in Charleston, SC I had heard of gangs but was never exposed to it because either I was too busy doing after school activities or my mom made sure I was home doing homework. My free time was spent in the library or working to make money.

I was instilled these things from a little girl. Now you may say more boys are in gangs than girls this might be true to some aspect but girl gangs are on the rise. I don’t believe girls are as dangerous but you just never know.

How can we prevent gang violence is the big question. I don’t think there is a way to avoid it completely but here are a few steps I plan on taking with my kids. I plan to keep them busy. My son and daughter will both be filled with activities starting now while they are 3 and 6. When my sons does get of middle school age (most gangs start in middle school) I will be monitoring his whereabouts and keeping close tabs on who he hangs with. Now some kids are still in gangs even if they come from a decent home I understand this but some kids are followers. You must make sure your child has enough backbone to stand up for themselves. You need to instill leadership qualities in them so they won’t do what everyone else does. I think that is what gangs look for the weak, someone who they can prey on who they know will do what they say just to be accepted and have some klout. Gang members get other people to do their dirty work for them that’s why gangs are created.

Gangs use violence to settle disputes. To be in a gang you have to do something to pass initiation. Most of the time it’s either robbing or killing someone. Once you have completed your initial test you are part of a group of people who will cause more harm than good.

You will find yourself fighting for your turf and making sure you are the biggest baddest gang in all the land. Gang members come in all different shapes and sizes it’s not just a black or Mexican thing it’s a world problem. We need more positivity in areas that gangs are well known to frequent and gain their followers from. Not all gang members are bad to the core they just want to belong to something and have a sense of family. If we give them that family in a positive way then they will have no need to look for it outside of their home.