Antidote for Gangs

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer points out that the future of society depends on our children's achievement today. However, the writer notes that some children do not get the opportunities they need in order to achieve success. Further, the writer discusses that a disorderly environment is not conducive to good citizenship, good health, or emotional balance.
Looking at the film "Boyz in the Hood', the writer notes that typically, society responds to the problems of youth by constructing some sort of program to meet the individual problem (such as teen pregnancy or gang involvement).

From the Paper:

"Such programs may have limited value, however, because they simply treat the problem and not the whole person. Society itself doesn't change. Moreover, children "at risk" are more than their problems--they are whole human beings with infinite potential. They need adults to believe in their potential and not treat them as though their problems were all that is important about them. A child like Darrin in the film whose mother hates him for some reason and who has no father to show him how to be a man is not simply vulnerable to gang membership and delinquency. His whole situation--his lovelessness and the ugliness of his environment--needs to be addressed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brendtro, L. K. and Long, N. J. (2005). The danger of disconnection: Social aspects of fatherless boys. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 14 (2), 66-69.
• Tipps, C. R. (2006). Kids at hope: All children are capable of success--no exceptions! JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 77 (1), 24-27.
• Film: Boyz in the Hood

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