No
sense of the future; living in survival mode. Therefore do not care if
engaged in future-wrecking behavior. Do not care about
school because it is too future-oriented. Need hope just for tomorrow.
A job and bills to pay orients you to the future and gives you hope.
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Though in a painful life and lifestyle, they see no
possibility of change. A job is a brand new possibility and essential
to self-esteem and a sense of control over one's life.
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Their significant others make them feel insignificant.
Father-absent/mother-absent homes produce pain and rage. Graffiti is
an attempt by the unrecognized to gain recognition. New significant
others must place value on these youth, recognizing the dignity that
is already theirs.
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Where this exits, gangs hold a financial monopoly over youth.
Many join for spending money. A job breaks this stranglehold and is
respected by other gang members.
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Where these exist, the cultural gap
between old country parents and new country youth is vast and often
unbridgeable. Many of these youth join gangs for understanding. New
responsible adults must provide understanding.
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For the love and respect that youth deserve yet
don't receive, the gang becomes a perverse substitute family, demanding
evil for acceptance. With hearts already filled with pain and rage
over their own rejection, unloved youth are only too ready to engage
in violent and criminal behavior. New significant others must love
and accept these youth as they are, and offer them the opportunity
to become part of a new family, God's family.
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All of the above wounds create a deep anger misdirected
at society because it is too painful to believe that one was unloved
and given no rightful place in the world. Caring adults must provide
the love that was never there, as well as a job, so that a youth finds
a rightful place to harness his energies for the benefit of his own
life.
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With nothing constructive
to do, the youth will do nothing constructive. With no responsible role
models in their lives, these youth will not become responsible. New significant
others and a job put youth in touch with responsible adult role models.
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