Teens are at increased risk of violence, with 15 teens being shot to death every day, according to Troubled Teen 101, while teen girls who start dating experience dating violence at a rate of one in every 10 teens, according to Maimonides Medical Center. Because teenagers are not experienced in sizing up new situations, they expose themselves to violent situations such as gang activity and dating violence. Those teens whose parents take the time to stay involved with them may benefit from a lowered risk of exposure to violence.
Step 1
Learn who your child's friends are, what activities they participate in and where they go to hang out. Make a point to involve your teen in regular conversations and let her know you're available for her when she needs you.
Step 2
Deliver parental discipline consistently and firmly every time your teen needs it. Refrain from being harsh with him. When you set and deliver a consequence for an undesirable behavior, sit down with him and discuss why you're disciplining him--let him know why his behavior and actions are wrong and what the consequences could have been.
Step 3
Include your teen in regular family activities and outings. If you go to the bowling alley, take her along and allow her to ask a good friend along as well. Encourage her to suggest family activities--if she wants to go hiking, schedule a weekend day for a family hike.
Step 4
Discourage your teen's involvement in gangs by telling him what kinds of criminal activities gangs participate in and what the consequences for their crimes could be. Make it clear to your teen that wearing gang-related clothing--colors and styles--won't be allowed in your home. Don't allow him to draw or display gang signs either.
Step 5
Let your teen know you expect her to go to school and do her work every day. Encourage her to work in school to earn the highest grades she is capable of earning. Suggest that she get involved in extracurricular activities such as yearbook or dance team so she stays busy.
Step 6
Intervene if you see signs of anger or violence in your teen. Talk to his doctor and ask for a referral to a therapist so you can get help in talking to your child. If he's involved in a potentially violent dating relationship, let him know he can ask you for help. Look for telltale signs that his partner is overly invested in the relationship, such as constant texting or phone calls or being followed by his girlfriend, and let him know that her behavior is not normal. Remind him of rapper Chris Brown's assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna and what she did to stop his beatings.
Tips and Warnings
- Allow your teen to suggest activities he's interested in, such as sports. Monitor your child's exposure to depictions of violence in the media--including movies, music, graphic video games and television shows.
- Don't use violence toward your teen in an effort to discourage violence.
