In the Columbia Urban League's "State of Black South Carolina," Dr. Kenneth Campbell tells of his visit to a group discussion with 20 young men in an intervention program. The day's topic was "friends."

"When the facilitator asks, 'How many of you have friends,' the young men respond with silence - a deafening silence for this energetic group. Some look down, some look bewildered..."

This same group expressed disappointment in their parents' lack of involvement in their lives. Dr. Campbell goes on to cite a 2002 survey in which young people were asked why kids join gangs. Most said kids were looking for a place to belong because they didn't have a good family or home life. Read more at www.topix.net.

Labels: friends, gangs, parental_involvement