Even if your kids not in trouble, the wrong clothes could send a dangerous message. Kids have been shot because they appeared to be part of a rival gang b/c of their clothes. kids who "look the look" are also more likely to be recruited into a gang.
Claire - I'm guessing your kids are probably recruitment free!
One of our JD kids is from a gang background (nothing like the influence of a big brother). He apparently planned to stay out when he left residential, but appears to be getting sucked back in. *sigh* I was filing his papers from around his release today, and it broke my heart. Listed as his fears? Dying. Getting Shot. Getting beat up. Is he going back in to savce himself from that?
It's so sad, because this kid has SUCH a great personality. he's kind of a smartass, but not in a disrepectful way. He's just a charming young man. I hate to see him throw his life away, but it's hard to overcome that home influence.
Meeting this kid on the street, it never would have occurred to me that he could be involved in anything like that. If my son was a teen and this kid came over to hang out, I never would have thought to question anything.
I'd have thought my son had a nice friend... (I still think he's a nice kid... just subcuming to some bad choices...