NCJ Number
146893
Date Published
1990
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This descriptive study identified the service needs of single, black, female-headed families with adolescent gang members served by the Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) Concerned Parents Program in Los Angeles.
Abstract
Data were obtained from a sample of 19 respondents regarding their perceptions of children's behavior and levels of gang affiliation. Data were also collected on services used by parents during their children's involvement in the contemplation ("wannabe"), partial, and affiliation phases of gang activity. Study results indicated that, as children increased their level of gang involvement, performance decreased in the core areas of school attendance, academic performance, participation in self- developing activities, behavior at home, adherence to legal norms, and social relationships. Data also showed that parental concerns regarding safety, impact of gang involvement on children's values, and impact of gang involvement on children's futures increased as the child moved from "wannabe" gang status to full affiliation. School counselors, the SEA Concerned Parents Program, and the Los Angeles Probation Department were among the services most frequently utilized by parents. The study questionnaire is appended. 21 references and 6 tables