Smart Talk with Art Krenshaw: Jan 18th

Hello all, for this first time this year, Art Krenshaw is back to share his insight and experience with us. This week another concerned parent has a question for our resident expert.  Please enjoy another edition of Smart Talk- with Art Krenshaw!

Art Krenshaw is an expert in human behavior. He's studied sociology and anthropology at Northern Kansas University and currently teaches on the side.

SMART TALK

with

ART KRENSHAW

Dear Dr. Krenshaw,

Hello.  Hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.  My problem is with my 16 year-old son, David.  David has been a good kid his whole life, and still is.  I think he may have fallen in with the wrong crowd though and am worried he will end up in a gang.  What kind of advice do you have for me?
Signed,
Worried




Worried,
I think there's no need for any sort of worrying.  It sounds like you're a parent who is very much a part of their child's life and that's the absolute most important first step you could take.  The equally important second step is to make sure your child does not join a gang.  He should start one of his own.  One that will be able to rise up through the ranks and violently crush the other gangs menacing your town.  That way, at least you know he'll be the one in charge.  Like the Shredder.  The first step in starting a new gang is picking out a great name.  It has to be something that the kids respect, but also is catchy enough for people to remember.  Something like "The T-Wreks".  This way, an image of a large man eater is conjured, and the misspelling gives it what kids call "street cred".  Tell him to feel free and even use a Z instead of an S at the end of the word too.  The second step is recruiting members.  Murdering a fake person- say a dummy, or a poorly built robot- from far away has worked wonders for the kids here in Kansas.  Step three is to procure a hideout.  Any abandoned warehouse or meat packing plant will do. 
With these three easy steps completed, your kid will be on his way to avoiding joining a gang in no time!  And, as an added bonus, your family will probably be pulling in all kinds of extra cash- what with the drug money and all.
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Interesting as always!  Until next time, this has been another edition of Smart Talk- With Art Krenshaw!