“Rival gangs of 10-year-olds issue death threats,” 12th January 2007 09:36 CETOnline: http://www.thelocal.se/6070/

OVERVIEW      

Rival gangs of 10-year-olds in the eastern town of Söderhamn have threatened to wipe each other out. One of the gangs is made up of indigenous Swedes and the other of immigrants, and police in the town are taking the problem very seriously.

The conflict has escalated on the internet, and police fear that there may be fatalities if the fighting is not stopped. 

"I reckon it has got worse in recent years. There are a total of 20 to 30 children in these gangs. 

"Then they call in reinforcements when things start to heat up," police spokesman Lasse Melin told newspaper Hälsinge Kuriren.

In his opinion the indigenous Swedish children have been influenced by racist sentiments in their homes. 

"Children don't become racists if they haven't learned it from their parents," said Melin.

Police now plan to work with schools and the local council to tackle the problem.

Lasse Melin intends first to take the two groups aside speak to them individually.

"Then we can bring them together and ask why they can't look at each other without getting into a fight," said Melin.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

 

1.   What is your first reaction to this news?

2.   Does this reflect reaction in Sweden, Scandinavia, and Western Europe to a tide of immigrants, many Muslim?

3.   Do you think the police plan to talk to gangs separately and then together has merit and any chance to work?

4.   Why aren’t officials in US cities talking to gangs more instead of reaction only to violent outbreaks?

 

IMPLICATIONS

 

1.   Adolescent behavior does reflect issues in the larger society.

2.   Gang threats must be taken seriously. Many gang member feel they have nothing to lose.

3.   The best response to adolescent violence is not punishment or negative prevention but positive promotion of their present and future lives.