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their child clear of juvenile delinquency.

LEADERSHIP.

Young people want and need strong and effective leadership. They desire, just as adults, to be given guidance and direction. They want someone ready to put them back on track when they have been derailed. Leadership requires integrity. Young people recognize integrity and gravitate to it. The greatest benefit of effective leadership is that it has the power to replicate. Through strong leadership, our young people will grow to become leaders and mentors themselves.

RESPECT.

The fine art of respecting our fellow human beings is fast becoming a lost art. We must teach our children to be respectful of others. We must teach them to try to follow the Ten Commandments, which contain the true basis of respect. If respect is taught be the family at home, then our children will take that respect with them as they traverse into society. One point that is driven home in the Lee household is the Golden Rule, which says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Indirectly, the Golden Rule affirms the belief that respect is a two-way street.

DSICIPLINE.

Despite popular belief, young people don't want parents to be their friends. They want parents to be parents. A wayward teen once told me that the reason for her present state of delinquency was the fact that her mother allowed her to go out and partty at such a young age (she started attending teen parties at age 13). Never mind the fact that she begged her mother to go. the fact is, it was incumbent upon the mother to be disciplined enough to prevail. We teach our children discipline by being disciplined; taking notice of:

1. New or secret friends. You should know everyone that your child considers a friend. When I say "know" them, I mean intimately. Know their name, telephone number, address, and their parents.

2. Poor grades. If your child has suddenly "dumbed down," it may be due to peer pressure, and a desire to fit in. Intervene immediately. Schedule meetings with school teachers and counselors to demonstrate to the child your concern. Hire a tutor, if feasible and necessary. A resounding message must be sent to the child that failing grades are unacceptable.

3. Tattoos. Gang recruitment takes place in and around schools. If your child has a tattoo, or hangs with friends that have tattoos, make inquiries about what they mean. Speak with school resource officers or local police gang units. Gang identifiers such as tottoos, can be, inherently, dangerous to the

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