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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not really get why kids join gangs?

68 replies

HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 21:39

The stereotype appears to be they join for a sense of belonging, get up to a lot of not very nice stuff and either end up in jail or dead. I realise this is a stereotype but is the sense of belonging really worth it?

AIBU to not get it?

OP posts:
wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:32

but more than surestart, all the after school and play provisions like adventure playgrounds, somewhere where kids can go just to get away from home environment. once they reach 5 until 15 they are forgotten. we seem to worry about under 5s and teenagers and forget their formative years and how important a safe haven is for them in these ages :(

Adair · 22/06/2011 22:33

oh, and libraries. Where you can access a computer and do homework at a desk.

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 22:34

Perhaps pumping more money into schools to provide more in the way of affordable/free and accessable after school clubs? 'Big up' movements like scouts and military cadets? Would that help?

OP posts:
wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:39

labour were doing that, professionalising a whole workforce for that age group, new government have completely cut funding for all good work that was being done

all neighbourhoods should have a safe place for kids to go, like a youth club but for all ages of children, staffed by professional people who can be role models - i know that's simplistic view.. but something happened to those kids to make them give up on life so early :(

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 22:42

But why create new schemes when existing ones already do the job? Duke of Edinburgh, Scouting, Cadet Forces...

OP posts:
wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:44

you won't get inner city kids joining scouts will you Grin

it doesn't need an agenda, just a place for kids to go to be safe

AmberLeaf · 22/06/2011 22:44

Hidinginahardhat, those sort of things just dont appeal to the sort of teens at risk of being in gangs.

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 22:45

Why not? It's just not been marketed in the right way :)

OP posts:
wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:47

it costs money though

AmberLeaf · 22/06/2011 22:48

when existing ones already do the job?

Do the job for who ?

Not an inner city teen.

MumblingRagDoll · 22/06/2011 22:49

Agree with Tortu much of the time the gang substitutes the family. When family breaks down to such an extent that kids don't even get fed, the gang can see to these basic needs.

Tortu I'm sad now thinking of them turning up for parents evening. Bless them all.

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 22:49

Not a great deal, and if it's rebranded to being area appropriate so that the skills and resources learned/needed are tailored accordingly, with government funding, why shouldn't it work? Be a hell of a lot cheaper than setting up a completely new organisation to provide the same function surely?

OP posts:
FreudianSlipper · 22/06/2011 22:50

i can totally understand why some people join a gang and when many get caught up they are at an age where they want to become more independent, they want to have a life outside of their family it is so easy to get caught up in gang life and it can often seem very exciting to be part of something that your parents know nothing or very little about

it is easy as an adult to see how destructive gangs are but teenagers see the world very differently

wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:50

i watched a fantastic video about an adventure playground in islington in the 80s and how it changed the lives of the children who lived there.

AmberLeaf · 22/06/2011 22:51

Hiding, It wont happen because this government dont give a shit about kids like that.

Thats why they have cut lots of the services that were already there!

wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:52

that's what is so wrong, they have cut services for kids that were well established since the 70s in some cases.

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 22:52

Its such a shame that they can so easily give up on a generation like that.

OP posts:
AmberLeaf · 22/06/2011 22:56

Its not a shame, its scandalous.

Original poster
HidinginaHardHat · 22/06/2011 22:57

very true!

OP posts:
wimpybar · 22/06/2011 22:59

it is scandalous

so many in this sector are losing their jobs, i don't understand what the government think they will achieve with these cuts

OiYouThere · 22/06/2011 23:08

Completely off topic - wasnt there a map someone linked to on here that showed the gang areas?

somethingwitty82 · 22/06/2011 23:12

They join gangs because without intervention humans are inherently evil and joining gangs gives them carte blanche to do all the things they enjoy doing, stabbing each other, drugs, line ups,

AmberLeaf · 22/06/2011 23:18

Oiyouthere

sites.google.com/site/londonstreetgangs/home/gang-maps

bejeezus · 22/06/2011 23:19

around here there are a lot of attitudes along the lines of 'let them kill themselves and each other (they're a waste of resources/ space/air etc)

people stop thinking of them as kids. Or as people even Sad

OiYouThere · 22/06/2011 23:20

Thanks

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