LOSS OF FAMILY
1. 50% of marriages end in divorce which cuts a child’s support system in half – 1 in 4 women in abusive relationships.
2. Adult bullies: Mental abuse with put downs, insults, belittling, cursing, screaming and controlling without listening or guiding.
3. Physical abuse : hitting, whipping, slapping, kicking or sexual abuse of a child.
4. Bio-parents have authority to discipline and guide, not a stepparent, boyfriend or girlfriend.
5. Overly emotional women (crying, pleading, begging) lose their authority with teens, especially boys.
6. Adults, who don’t listen, send a message…”I don’t care.” Children become frustrated, lack self-esteem and may become socially isolated.
7. Neglect and abuse creates anger. Anger prevents emotional growth and a lack of self-awareness, which puts youth at risk.
8. Parents, who can’t say NO, will experience resentment, anger and disrespect. You taught your child to be selfish and self-absorbed!
9. A child’s spirit: If adults fail to teach children about their awesome inner power and potential, children may not value themselves or others.
10. Bullies are emotionally “off-center” with a wounded spirit: This child uses intimidation and fear to gain power and control over others… and to hide their pain.
11. Pincushion kids (victims) are emotionally “off-center” with a wounded spirit: Sensitive children feel inadequate, suffer in silence and become easy targets. Bullies and victims are often attracted to each other.
12. Bullies and “Pincushion kids” (victims) lack strong role models and a sense of security. Strong “centered” adults listen and stay calm when disciplining and guiding children.
13. Children lacking spiritual values and support do not discover a healthy balance between ego and spirit. Peers become their teachers as they experiment with drugs, alcohol, sex or other self-destructive behaviors.
14. Youth, unable to cope or “fit in,” become disconnected from family , friends and feel alone. They are likely candidates to dropout of school, join gangs or become addicted to drugs. Some may even runaway and become homeless.
LOSS OF COMMUNITY
15. The loss of neighborhood support creates more social isolation for families . Youth do not see neighbors as role models, mentors or problem solvers working together to keep their neighborhood safe for everyone.
16. Gangs, drugs and violence become a life style for alienated youth. Gangs use fear to take over neighborhoods and become role models for children. Rival gangs kill for control. (Primitive ego-driven tribal behavior )
17. Violent movies, video games and TV reinforce the bully/victim behavior for disconnected youth. Sex and violence used to degrade and control women.
18. Easy access to drugs (escape from reality) and guns (power tool for the disenfranchised).
19. The religious community has lost influence with many of today’s families due to scandals, corruption and the sexual abuse of children.
20. Religion , the foundation of a free society, has neglected to reach out and “Love thy Neighbor.” Working together…the religious community has the power to bring neighbors together, become role models of youth and create peaceful communities.
Every bully, delinquent, truant, abuse victim, drug dealer, gang member, and child struggling to grow up with drugs or domestic violence lives in somebody’s neighborhood.
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Stephanie Mann, Family and Neighborhood Safety ConsultantAUTHOR: 4 national books on family and neighborhood safety
- “ALTERNATIVE TO FEAR: Guidelines for Safer Neighborhoods” which helped launch the national Neighborhood Watch program during the 1970’s.
- “SAFE HOMES, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS: Stopping Crime Where You Live:” An encyclopedia for citizens on how to stop crime, drugs and create a safe neighborhood.
- “STREET SAFE KIDS: How to build self-esteem and stay centered.” How to keep your child safe and healthy.
- “THE ADOPT-A-BLOCK GUIDEBOOK: 10 steps to a safe and healthy neighborhood.” How individuals or groups can create a safe, healthy neighborhood (2010)
For more info: www.safekidsnow.com