Disturbing Behavior...(STREET TEAMS)

A very serious and disturbing issue is at hand. No one can dispute that violence is on the rise..as population increases, so do the problems concerning the ever prevailing social stature of an individual.  When man was first born his problems were very basic and primitive of course.  The core of any social disturbance was based on food, mate and territory.  Today it is very common and deemed natural for individuals to strive, often struggle internally as well as externally to find a niche, or place in society. The adolcent cry out for independance, they want to be heard and be seen as an important and part of somthing great. This  is of course mostly observed concerning teenagers between the ages of 12 to 25 Adults from 25-40 less but still prominant,  that maintain a social life outside of jobs and school.  I have noticed a rise in the number of people who claim to be part of somthing called a (STREET TEAM) This term signifys that an individual has taken oath to a group ranging  anywhere from 4 to 15  people. These people have similar social, political, and sometimes religious views and project them very adamently. The main focus of these street teams is to offer protection from harm. Very rarely a street teams main focus is to change their surroundings in a postive manner and includes activism; concerning many current issues such as the environment, politcs, abuse ect and express them selves artisticly with spray painting murals and poetry. Some street teams are not the initaiting cause of violence but are used when one member of the team is threatened by any non-member or a member of an opposing street team.  Violence of course is then ensued. The statistics are of course unavailable due to the loyalty of oaths, underground clubs, and the widespreading growth. There are however many street teams who are very violent and are often the initiating cause of violence to individuals and sometimes even more than one person. It is apparent that these groups of individuals are included in a gang or hazing club of sorts. The gangs don't usually go out in public together to promote more secrecy of course but use the power of intimidation by a threat of numbers to get a point across to anyone who threatens or is outwardly expressive of thier individual beliefs.

The best way to counter this sort of violence is to be calm. If you are a parent, BE A PARENT. First observe your teens behavior with out discussing things. Of course most teenagers go through phases and have typical issues. Look for patterns and connect the dots. Dont jump to conclusions but just observe. An obvious sign that your child might be on a street team may be that they wear specific logos frequently, weapons such as more than just a pocket knife..guns, larger knives ect, or they may have matching tattoos as some of thier friends. Another sign might be a quick change in lifestyle or habit such as change of religion, appearence ect. A teen with a constant busyness,nervousness, or even a very egocentric character..emersed in his or her own life might sinigfy your teen is apart of a another world, a world where violence is very near.  It is important that you develop a relationship with your teen, try to understand how they feel and listen instead of talk. If you do find out your child is in a street team, stay calm and try to figure out thier code of ethics and beliefs, not all street teams are henious and outwardly violent. Some groups simply serve as protection from harm, a sort of brotherhood or look out. It is important that people are aware of this issue, to try and stop violence, and sometime casualties.
 My heart goes out specially  to those unfair situations to those innocent.