Comment on Lizzie's post: Stan's scenario

Hi Lizzie,

In your post you have discussed the reasons behind the formation of 'gangs'. I would like to comment on this subject as I just read a very interesting article from the Australian Institute of Criminology on gangs in Australia: “Young People and Gangs” (Perrone S, 2000). As you have mentioned, the coexistence of two communities (the old and the new Australian), the desire to be accepted by peer group, the absence of parents and their lack of involvement in the school and homework have influenced the students to seek support outside the house. In a gang membership, they will find a form of social status, identity, security, respect and compensation for the lack of support. 

Stan associates these youth groups with 'gangs'. The term 'gang' refers to highly structured youth organisations known in the United States. Its relevance for Australian youth groups is discussed in the paper mentioned above. These groups are formed in big suburban areas of Sydney or Melbourne, similar to Stan's school area and they are based on ethnicity or preferred activities. They are sometime involved in illegal activities but these remain minor (drug dealing, burglary, robbery and theft) and often prompted by boredom or peer pressure. Adolescents need organised social play like sport and physical activities as a break from school and a buffer from stress (Krause chapter 3 page 131). Lack of organized structure results in the problems just mentioned. Public concerns have been raised regarding the proliferation of youth groups in Australia. They are fueled by media reinforcing the ethnic character of their criminal activities. However, the term 'gang' as used to describe highly organized criminal American groups does not be apply in the Australian context.

What could Stan do in the context of his school? The school needs to include cross-cultural and multicultural programs in its curriculum. Inclusion of anti-racist, anti-violence strategies and conflict resolution should be established in order to assure students safety and security in the school. Students would also benefit from individual and group support as well as development of extra-curricular activities such as after school programs or recreational outlets.

Reconciliation projects also promote diversity of culture and opportunity to know each other at a personal and group level. Kerrie Heath on her lecture (Lecture J, April 21, 2011) gave us an excellent and inspiring example of a program she has developed aiming to include students perceived as “scary” in the community by organising Tai-chi classes with people from the community and lunches for the workers of the nearby construction site.

Stan would definitely benefit from a UC PD course!



References:

Perrone S, White R. (2000). Young people and gangs. http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/0/F/B/%7B0FB12D31-3769-4558-BC5F-6AA519D3831F%7Dti167.pdf

Krause Chapter 3: Social, Emotional and moral development. p. 98-146

Heath K. (April 21, 2011) Lecture J3.

Lizzi's post on Stan's scenario: http://lizzythamm.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/education-foundations-assignment-1-post-2/