GANGS LIFE (Comparison between Indonesia and America) Kehidupan geng

GANGS LIFE What teachers can do to stem the problem in their schools.
By Bob Waliszewski

GANGS LIFE
SONIANTO KUDDI 40420060017
FIP
9/17/2007

Background of the idea:

In the past 10 years, gang violence has claimed more than 11.000 lives in the United States. In Los Angels alone, whit its 55,258 gang members, approximately 20 percent of all homicides are gang-related.

Background of the topic:

Schools are the breeding ground for gangs. That’s where the mentality stars to take shape and where they’re gonna clash and carry over their after-school life. As result of this interaction, approximately 50 students are killed on junior high and high school campuses each year. Gangs violence on campuses continue to increase.

SUMMARIZE ON ARTICLE

This article taken from Teachers in focus magazine, published nine times per year in USA. A gang is an ongoing, loosely organized association of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, which has common name, signs, symbols, or colors, whose members engage, either individually or collectively, in violent or other forms of illegal behavior. In many cases, the roots of gang violence can be traced back to what happens at school. Another study found that one of every three 10th- through 12th- graders does not feel safe at school. Yet another poll of seventh-through 12th-graders found that 12 percent of student report carrying a weapon for protection, 25 percent expressed belief that most kids admire gang member.
Most members are males, but females now make up 5 percent of gang membership and this number is increasing. A higher proportion of male crimes are violent while a higher percentage of female crimes are property offenses. According to Rick Sandford children who felt abandoned by working and noncaring parents are most at risk. Kids want to belong to something. If the child did not got it and join to the gang, gangs give identity. Child attraction to the gang lifestyle was a sense of belonging. The members of gang say “I had never really been around a parent who was willing to say he loved me”. To solve this problem author give tips for teachers: (1) Take the young guy and invest some personal time, not just in the classroom (2) improve reading skills (3) Bring in tutors and mentor to help (3) Help teens get involved with sports (4) Be concerned about the ‘wannabes’ because they are ‘gonnabes’ (5) To prevent them, try talking straight about gangs, Tell them the average gang member is at risk of not seeing his or her 19th birthday (6) Stars a zero-tolerance policy for gangs and do not give any ground (7) School teachers need to encourage their students to bring in someone from the outside who can address the problems of gangs and violence (8) Make sure you know your school environment and culture.

ANALYSIS

Based on the article my analysis is focus to the gangs at the school and how it works in Indonesia. Waliszewski explains the article that might not show the real situation in Indonesia, because I think gangs in Indonesia are not as many as those in US. The cause and the form are basically the same. I agree with the author. I do not know much about gangs in America. Because the article is made and based on American situation so I can found the general view about the gangs in America. As a developing country in Indonesia economy becomes a big problem that influences family. Economic factor and high fertility rate are major factors which potentially affect broken home. The strong influence of western culture is the main factor, for example “the metal” and “rock” gangs. Famous gangs like this will be adopted by society in Indonesia. Low education and low quality of the teachers cannot help student to solve their problem.

I agree with the opinion the reason children or teens join a gang is to look for sense of belonging that is in line with Maslow Hierarchy (humanistic theory) and psychology. People need sense of belonging and student cannot study well without it. In school there are so many students have problems in their family. They make the students feel unloved or have low attachment with the family. To fulfill their sense of belonging, they try to seek it. Friends are the proper place to have it. Students get their identity and acceptance from their friends. This theory was supported by Freud and Erikson statement that “Acceptance and attachment form identity and both can be found in family and peer” (Santrock, 2002, p. 281). Gang is developed also by sameness in goals, characters, etc.
In my first practicum, I observed one student as my assignment of Child and Adolescent Development study. I observed a student who has problem in study. He managed to go on to the next class though he was almost failed. After observing him I found that he has experienced broken home. At the same time he joins a gang at the school. His parents are very busy with their working and they do not have time to share with their boys. He also said that he often got scolded from parents. I tried to relate treatment of parents with student’s interaction in the school. He joins into the exclusive gang which does not easily accept members. They are together in all situations. According to my teacher mentor after school time finish they do not go back home directly. He often goes home at night. They go to a place to play a game, like play station or squat. Basically the gang takes his time to study and makes him scolded by his parents. From my experience join into the gangs makes the members struggle, problem, bullying in the school and all negative action. They are more dare to make problems because they do it together.

What can teachers do and how about the Christian perspective?
The students spend their time about eight hours per day at the school. School is the second place that gives impact to the student. School should become the secure place for them to grow. Students who feel unloved and have low attachment with their parents have to be accepted the way they are. As Van Brummelen said that teachers become “In loco parentis”. Each student is unique, has weaknesses and strengths, and they the image of God. This is the significant time to transform students because in school where mentality starts to take shape. As Christian teachers we have to pay attention with the student’s needs. We care about them, become loyal listeners and counselor. We can do anything else to show that we care about them. For instance we show our smile and friendliness so the student is not afraid to come directly to us, share and give support. Reflective journal can be used to know more about student’s problem. Help student get involved with sports. Do it all not just in the classroom or school. Maybe we do alone and we can work together with parents. Call their parent and talk about student problem and give solution about what can parents do. Give report once a week. To the student give explanation about gang’s impact and tell the reason why they are join. Make peace among gang at the school. And the most important live in your life so they can see Christ in you. Bring our student grow in Christ. While the hands of the teachers may be tied, the constitution affords protection for student-initiated events. Christian students should also consider mentoring their at-risk colleagues. I know that they are created by God and are the image of God but I never implement in my practice, it is big lie. The important here is what I do.


CONCLUSION

Many students do not feel safe in the school. Mostly, the gang is the prime cause for bullying, fighting among them or sometimes killing occurs. Gangs give impact to their members. For example the members are not focusing on their study because they are depending on their gang. The gang based on the wrong motivation has to be deleted. The main reason why student joins into the gang is because they feel abandoned by their working and non caring parents. Caring and paying attention to our student are important things to help them grow in Christ. Be the good teachers who have close relation with our students and live your life according to the bible so they can see Christ in you.

REFERENCES
Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D,. (2007). Educational psychology: Windows on classrooms. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Dynamite Dynamix. (2007). Identifying gangs. Retrieved September 17 September, 2007 from http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01593/index.html
Santrock, J. W. (2003). Adolescence [perkembangan remaja]: Edisi keenam. Jakarta: Penerbit Erlangga.
Thornberry, T., Krohn, Lizotte, Smith, Tobin. (2003). Gangs and delinquency in developmental perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Van Brummelen, H. (2006). Berjalan dengan Tuhan di dalam kelas: Pendekatan Kristiani untuk pembelajaran [Walking with God in the classroom: Christian approaches to learning and teaching]. Jakarta: Universitas Pelita Harapan. (Original work published 1998).
Waliszewski, B. (November 1996). Focus on the family. Teacher in focus magazine: Gangs life. P. 8-12. Vol. 5, Colorado Spring USA.