Rick Landre, Mike Miller, and Dee Porter

Parents and youth must take a more active role in reducing gang violence, maintain Rick Landre, Mike Miller, and Dee Porter in the following viewpoint. They assert that parents must be aware of what their children are doing and who their friends are, should know the signs of gang involvement, and should participate in community anti-gang programs. Young people should also become involved in community activities and be aware of the consequences of gang activity, the authors contend. Landre, Miller, and Porter are the authors of Gangs: A Handbook for Community Awareness, from which this viewpoint is taken.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the authors, how can recalcitrant parents be encouraged to participate in anti-gang efforts?
2. What causes the cycle...