Parents Guide to Gangs. Learn about gangs and what you need to do to protect your children

1. Introduction
Research indicates that parents play a pivotal role in keeping young people out of
gangs. Negative influences within the family—including domestic violence, child
abuse, harsh or inconsistent parenting practices, and/or drug/alcohol abuse by
To request the Parents’ Guide to Gangs, visit family members—can increase the risk that a youth will join a gang.
www.nationalgangcenter.gov/parents-guide-to-gangs
Parents can protect their children from gang activity through taking positive actions,
For more gang-related information and materials, such as monitoring their children’s activities, fostering close relationships with
contact the National Gang Center®
Post Office Box 12729
them, and using positive discipline strategies. However, parents often lack factual
Tallahassee, Florida 32317 information about gangs.
Phone: (850) 385-0600, Ext. 224
Fax: (850) 386-5356
E-mail: information@nationalgangcenter.gov
Web site: www.nationalgangcenter.gov
Behaviors Associated With Joining a Gang
The early adolescent years (12–14 years of age) are a crucial time when youths are exposed
to gangs and may consider joining a gang. Youths who are becoming involved in a gang may
exhibit the following behaviors:
Negative changes in behavior, Interest in gang-influenced music, videos,
such as: and movies.
99 Withdrawing from family. Use and practice of hand signals to
99 Declining school attendance, communicate with friends.
performance, or behavior. Peculiar drawings or gang symbols on
Parents’
This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement 99 Staying out late without reason. schoolbooks, clothing, notebooks, or even
No. 2010-GP-BX-K076, awarded by the Bureau of walls.
Justice Assistance, and Grant No. 2007-JV-FX-0008 and 99 Unusual desire for secrecy.
Cooperative Agreement No. 2011-MU-MU-K001, awarded by
99 Confrontational behavior, such as
Drastic changes in hair or dress style and/or
Guide
the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,
talking back, verbal abuse, name having a group of friends who have the same
Office of Justice Programs. The opinions, findings,
and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this calling, and disrespect for parental hair or dress style.
publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily authority. Withdrawal from longtime friends and
reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.
to Gangs
99 Sudden negative opinions about forming bonds with an entirely new group of
law enforcement or adults in friends.
positions of authority (school
officials or teachers). Suspected drug use, such as alcohol,
inhalants, and narcotics.
This guide is designed 99 Change in attitude about school,
to provide parents with church, or other normal activities The presence of firearms, ammunition, or
information in order to or change in behavior at these other weapons.
recognize and prevent activities.
Nonaccidental physical injuries, such as
gang involvement. being beaten or injuries to hands and knuckles
Unusual interest in one or two
particular colors of clothing or a from fighting.
particular logo. Unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing
or jewelry.

2. Common Gang Identifiers What Parents Can Do
Gang-style clothing and dress: Sports items: Talk to your children about Get to know your children’s
Gang members may use a particular style of Letters, colors, or symbols may have a
dress to identify with a particular gang, set, specific gang meaning in local street-gang gangs and ways to avoid friends and the friends’ parents.
clique, or crew. This might include clothing or culture, such as Kansas City Royals (KC = them. Be aware of their attitudes toward drugs,
bandanas worn only in certain colors that are Kill Crips). Sports items may be purchased in alcohol, and gangs. When children start to
Let them know that you disapprove of feel pressure to use drugs or join gangs, it
representative of a gang. a nontraditional color to correspond with the gangs and do not want to see them
gang’s colors or may be altered with graffiti or usually comes from their friends.
Other clothing that might be worn by gang hurt or arrested.
extra symbols or writing.
members could include pants worn well below Talk to your children about
the waist (sagging); gang-themed T-shirts with Tell your children not to:
Graffiti: ways to deal with pressure from
pictures of gang members, prison scenes, Gangs use graffiti to mark their territory,  Associate with any gang
graffiti, or slogans; two- or three-toned bead friends.
brag about their reputation, mourn fallen members. Help your children practice simple ways to
necklaces; sports clothing of specific teams; members, and threaten or challenge rival
or colored fabric belts, occasionally with a respond to peer pressure. For example, if your
gangs. For this reason, graffiti can be very  Hang out where gangs child is challenged by a peer who says, “If
metal buckle that includes the initial(s) of the dangerous and should be removed as soon congregate.
gang. you are my friend, you would,” your child can
as possible. Youths who are participating respond, “If you were my friend, you wouldn’t
However, gang clothing trends change and in graffiti may have items such as spray  Attend any party or social event
ask.” Then, he/she should walk away.
may be different from one place to another, so paints, spray-paint plastic tips, wide-tipped sponsored by gangs.
clothing alone may not be enough to indicate markers, or sketchbooks with graffiti works in Set firm limits with your children
a child’s affiliation with a particular gang, progress and may have paint on their clothing,  Use any kind of hand or finger
backpacks, or other items. signs that may be meaningful and teens.
though it can be a clue. Children and teenagers need to know
to gangs.
Tattoos: clearly what is expected of them and the
Colors: consequences for acting otherwise. Do not
Many gangs use one or more colors as Tattoos are used to show an individual’s  Wear clothing that may have
loyalty to his/her gang. These tattoos often meaning to gangs in your area. rescue your children from the consequences
a symbol to represent their gang. These
include the name, initials, or symbols of the of their decisions.
colors may be worn on shirts, bandanas, (Explain to your children that these
multicolored or single-colored beads, belts, specific gang and may be found on the hands, clothing items can put them in danger
neck, face, chest, or arms. and that you will not purchase them or Plan family time.
hats, shoes, shoelaces, headbands, jewelry, allow them to be worn. If you are not Make time for your family to play, eat meals
and other items. familiar with these items, contact your together, take trips (even to local parks or
Hand signs: local law enforcement agency for more
activities), keep family traditions, and have
Symbols and numbers: Some gangs use specific hand gestures to specific information about gangs in your
family meetings to talk about plans, feelings,
Some symbols and numbers may have communicate their affiliation with the gang and area.)
issue threats or challenges to rival gangs. and complaints.
special significance within the gang culture
in a particular area. A few common symbols
from some of the large gangs in the United Gang-influenced music
States are stars (five- and six-pointed), and movies:
crowns, pitchforks (pointing up or down), three Gangsta/gangster rap is a style of rap music
dots in a triangle, and numbers. Contact characterized by violent, tough-talking lyrics
your local police or sheriff’s department to that glorify street-gang culture. Many popular
get specific information on the meaning of movies also focus on street gangs and their
unidentifiable symbols or numbers that you activities. Youths may show their interest in
may see in graffiti or clothing in your area. gangs through fascination with music and
movies that portray street-gang culture.