Violence between youth groups is a serious problem worldwide. Teenagers are often trapped in anarchist group culture and join because they feel they have no other choice. This problem is very complex and difficult to solve by the surrounding community. By approaching vulnerable youths who are under the influence of a group, being part of an active community, and promoting a gang-free lifestyle in schools, you can help overcome these problems.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preventing Teens from Joining Anarchist Groups
Step 1. Discuss the issue of the child or youth at risk of being involved in the activities of anarchist groups
Participate in the nearest prevention and education program to connect with youth in your area. Young people usually join gangs between the ages of 13 and 15 so you need to focus on kids in that age range. Early treatment usually gives the best results.
- Despite the general stereotype, young women are in fact also heavily involved in the activities of anarchist groups. Don't just focus your efforts on the young men.
- You can also communicate with children who are already involved in activities in anarchist groups through this method.
Step 2. Earn the trust of vulnerable youth
Talk to find out why they feel pressured to join anarchist groups and ask them to be honest. Let your child share his frustrations and positive aspects of his life to build long-term healthy relationships.
- Stay neutral, provide encouragement, and show your support when your child shares personal information.
- Common reasons for a child's involvement in a gang include financial stability, support and a sense of belonging, social status, and the belief that they will be protected if they join.
Step 3. Encourage children to have positive goals for themselves
After building trust, you can help your child establish realistic, measurable, educated goals and careers outside of the anarchist group. Encourage them to think beyond their current state to show their positive potential.
- Ask questions like “When you grow up, what do you want to be?” and “What did you do to get there?”
- Academic success and the positive relationship associated with this success have shown excellent results.
Step 4. Create a special youth early prevention program
If the community in your area does not yet have an intervention program specifically for problem youth, create your own. Focus on creating an environment that reflects positive behavior and give teens the tools they need to learn interpersonal skills, such as how to solve a problem.
- Each program should have a special class or association for parents and teachers of troubled youth who want to learn how to deal with them effectively.
- Intervention programs provide youth with a neutral environment to learn adaptive skills and make them understand the principles of society.
Step 5. Call a specialist to provide extra help to a teenager who is already a member of an anarchist group
Sometimes, professional help is needed to deal with the actions of anarchist groups. Specialists start their careers by developing relationships with gang members and leaders to mediate violence. If the situation is very serious or beyond your control, consider contacting a youth intergroup violence specialist.
- These specialists do not look down on gang members and their leaders. They are not anti-gang – but non-violent.
- Even if specialists can support anyone's decision to leave an anarchist group, they will not try to lecture members of that group out. They will play a neutral role and focus on minimizing the risks.
Step 6. Look for signs of anarchist affiliation through social media channels
There are many activities of youth anarchist groups that started online, especially in the context of insulting each other and sowing seeds of hatred which then moved to the streets. Seek out local community groups and youth support networks for non-violence and share their contact information with anyone you deem to be in need.
- For example, in the United States, citizens can send a link to the GRASP program GRASP (Gang Rescue and Support Project) or Youth at Risk Development Program (YARD) to troubled youth.
- Even if your efforts have not been successful or have been met with threats, do not falter and continue the effort.
Method 2 of 3: Becoming a Part of an Active Society
Step 1. Join a civic association or neighborhood watchdog group
Adolescents are at higher risk for developing bad behavior when they live in an unsafe environment. By creating or joining a community association that cares about crime prevention, you can help create a safer environment and make it clear that you have zero tolerance for violence between teens.
Community associations do not advocate directly in the field – they support law enforcement in the community by reporting criminal acts or suspicious activities
Step 2. Organize events that focus on positive skills development
Adolescents who are prone to crime need to learn how to increase self-confidence, reduce anger/conflict, set realistic goals, increase personal awareness, build healthy relationships, and value education. These programs provide the same benefits as a gang, namely self-identity and a sense of belonging, protection from violence, and a strong structure like a family.
Step 3. Clean up the graffiti in your environment
Graffiti is a sign of territory domination. Deleting these posts can reduce violence between competing groups. It also sends a message that the community will not tolerate such actions. Some countries allow the public to help clean up graffiti. Check with the authorities when figuring out how to participate in the cleaning process.
- Graffiti cleaning is usually done by rubbing a wire brush moistened with a special graffiti cleaning fluid to remove paint on various types of surfaces.
- If you're cleaning graffiti from brick surfaces, especially red bricks, it's best to get professional services.
Step 4. Connect with politicians who are committed to ending intergroup violence
Politicians have a wide network so they can make changes on a large scale. Write a letter and contact local officials to share your experiences dealing with violence between youth groups and the positive impact you have had on society. Ask others to do the same to emphasize that there are many people who care about this issue collectively.
If you live in the United States, locate the nearest congressman by zip code at this link:
Step 5. Donate to programs aimed at helping troubled youth
For example, the United States has the Gang Rescue and Support Project (GRASP), a program that focuses on the involvement of young men and women in gang activity, drug abuse, crime, and family problems or family involvement with these issues. This program uses donations to finance:
- Exercises to raise awareness of parents
- Community development
- Work training
- Crisis response
- Tattoo cleaning
Step 6. Participate in prisoner rehabilitation programs
When detainees are released from prison, it is usually difficult for them to find work so that they return to criminal activities. By helping with a prisoner rehabilitation program, you can share your work and career skills to help others get a better lifestyle.
Companies like Volunteers of America provide opportunities for people who want to help teach prisoners specific skills through rehabilitation programs
Method 3 of 3: Promoting Anarchy-Free Lifestyles in Schools
Step 1. Volunteer to teach youth at a vulnerable age
Paying an hourly tutor is something that many families from poor economic backgrounds cannot afford. Unfortunately, this means that the youth and adults in the neighborhood are not getting the education they need to be successful. Provide educational opportunities for them by becoming a volunteer teacher in an existing program at a nearby school.
Step 2. Maintain positive interactions to make change
Current and future members of anarchist groups who are still in school often feel that the education system is the cause of its failure. They end up hating education because of bad experiences in the past. Provide a positive experience against this and consider their resistance as a challenge to be faced.
Step 3. Support youth intergroup violence prevention programs in schools
The activity of anarchist groups is a broad category. This includes drug abuse, thuggery, and violence. Create a program or involve yourself in an existing program to alleviate this issue in your school. Work on programs to create a safe environment in schools for students and look out for students who are at risk of dropping out.
Academic success and positive relationships can help change the lives of teenagers who are at risk for criminal activity
Step 4. Talk to the school and report on the activities of the anarchist group
Since there are many students to attend to, it is quite difficult for schools and law enforcement to get to know each individual and choose which ones to receive extra attention. As a member of society concerned about the actions of anarchist groups, you can play a role in helping them maintain awareness of this issue.
- Communicate with schools, counselors, and local law enforcement directly if you see anarchist group activity.
- Adolescents who are involved in anarchist group action succumb to peer pressure if they do not have positive role models. Communicating with schools and counselors will put them in a better position to take on this role and make a positive impact.
Step 5. Deal with problems between anarchist groups in schools like public health problems
This means you need to monitor trends, find out risk factors and their prevention, evaluate interventions, and implement strategies to create fact-based solutions. Take note of which strategies worked and were most effective. Factors such as cultural background, family dynamics, and past experiences can affect the effectiveness of a solution in different individuals.
For example, if an open approach causes some teens to strongly object, find out why and prepare alternative solutions
Tips
- Never ignore signs of anarchist group activity – whether you're traveling alone or with a group, your decisions can have a lasting positive effect on trouble-prone teens.
- Contact law enforcement if you suspect gang activity. Knowing the areas that are prone to their activity can help you understand the areas that need closer scrutiny.
- Despite common belief, rural and urban areas are equally vulnerable to being the scene of inter-group violence. Big cities like Jakarta also have many homicide cases that are motivated by the activities of anarchist groups which are usually thought to be related to low incomes and high unemployment rates.
- Report the activities of anarchist groups to the nearest school. Adolescents who are vulnerable to bad influences often do not trust the education system. The more information teachers have, the easier it will be for them to change this view and communicate with youth.
