What is gangsterism?

It is inappropriate destructive behavior by a group of people.

What types of activities gangsters usually involve in?

Gangsters often:

• Demonstrate aggressive behaviors
• Commit robbery
• Pickpocket
• Participate in illegal motor-racing
• Commit car theft
• Get involved in drug pushing
• Consume alcohol
• Indulge in free sex

What causes someone to become a gangster?

A few factors are responsible and they include:

• Poor family background
• Peer influence
• Media exposure
• Weak personality trait
• Antisocial behavior
• Desiree’s / willing to try

Is it possible to identify a person likely to be involved in gangsterism?

Yes, we should be aware that there is likelihood if that person:

• Shows anger towards small disagreement
• Tends to damage things
• Comes home late from school
• Goes out at night
• Loiters (lepak)
• Sleeps during the day
• Is not doing well at school
• Has poor school achievement
• Has disciplinary problems
• Has poor school attendance
• Shows delinquency behavior e.g. breaks laws
• Fights using sharp weapons
• Smokes
• Consistenly lies to get around requirement, militate rules, violents and avoid consequences of his/her action.
• Demonstrate a pattern of interacting in an irritable aggressive or argumentation way.

Consistency lies to get around requirement, militate rules, violents and avoid consequences of his/her action. Demonstrate a pattern of interacting in an irritable aggressive or argumentation way.

What will happen to a teenage gangster?

He will:

• Receive disciplinary punishment
• Get a bad testimonial report from school
• Be expelled from school
• Have no real friends and is only respected by his group of ‘gangster friends’
• Be forever worried of getting caught

Repeatedly has performed antisocial act that may or may have led to arrests or suspension from school.

Can you get out of the situation if you are already involved?

Yes, you can.

You should:

• Get involved in healthy social activities e.g. sports and music
• Cultivate an interest in some hobbies e.g. reading, playing badminton etc
• Channel your anger into something else
  • (e.g. Boxing Club, Taekwondo, Singing, Sports)
• Say ‘NO’ to negative behavior

If your ‘gangster’ problem is already serious:

• Consult a close family member for guidance
• Get a referral to a counselor or behavioral therapist
• Get involve peer group counseling in school

Counseling sessions (individual or peer group) are an essential part of management.