Community and Domestic Violence - Essay Example

BHE 415 - Community and Domestic Violence (Module 5-CBT) ID: Word count:556 words Gang violence has become a partof the American culture today. For most parents it is impossible to understand the ease with which their children can adopt and structure the rest of their lives on this trend. However, what many parents don't realize is that gang violence can be quickly and easily eliminated from any young child's mind if the ethics and training is correct.For starters, all parents must ensure that the teachings at home.

Instead of allowing the child to play out on the streets all day, create an atmosphere of comfort at home. The parents should familiarize themselves with the technology and life of the average child today so that the relationship between them remains strong and healthy. Also, they should concentrate on building a family time which allows the entire family to sit together and talk. This bonding with the family will prevent the young child from needing comfort or guidance outside the house as it will be readily available at home.

Also, gang violence is presented as a romanticized idea in the youth culture today: songs, movies or books. Children are easily motivated to participate in an idea that is shown as being courageous. But, telling the child to stop listening to music or go to the movies will prove to be an unfruitful idea. Social scientists and criminologists have come to the conclusion that gang violence cannot be curbed through suppression.(Goldstein & Huff 1993) Instead, talk to the child of the cons of gang violence and emphasize the need to stay away from it.

Thus, prevention and intervention will prove to be a far more successful communicator than force (Conley 1993). A lot of gangs are created as a need for the individual to be recognized. The young child might see the gang as his way to achieve three minutes of fame. Parents must ensure that their child has his priorities set straight. He must be taught the difference between famous and infamous. By providing examples the parents can show how the following of one can lead to success and the other lead to disaster.

Schooling at an age past 14 should be made compulsory on every child in the house. The parents should instill the correct values of education in the child. Any biases or contempt held for the educational system should be removed and the parents should ensure the child sets a college degree as his standard of excellence. In this way, the child will be in an environment that will offer him acceptance from his peers and recognition for his ability. If nothing else works on the child then the parents themselves should move in and take action.

They should educate and inform the entire community of the problems and risks of gang violence. By starting a service of their own, sessions can be held for any child who wants to quit a gang or feels the need to join one. Through surveillance of the neighborhood, the parents themselves should take charge of the area and repel the violence out of their community. Thus, parents can be easily frightened by the news they read and the stories they hear. Only by taking action can they see the ease with which gang violence can be removed from their lives if they are willing to give it a try.

BibliographyConley, C. H. (1993) Street Gangs: Current Knowledge and Strategies Washington DC: National Institute of JusticeGoldstein, A.P. and C. R. Huff (1993) The Gang Intervention Handbook Champaign, IL: Research Press