Gri-di-ron gang???

I had difficulty pronouncing that title.

Its Grid-iron gang.

Whatever it means.

Same effect as the local gang names; ------------- still blank. I'm such a sucker at recalling names. Especially gang names despite the personal 'gangster' tutorials i've been having with my youth clients. So sorry i let you guys down. I'll try to make notes the next time.

While watching and being inspired by the movie Gridiron Gang, i couldnt help but to identify other formulaic inspirational stories and their similarities, such as the Remember The Titans, Coach Carter and The Longest Yard.

The similarities are:
a) Delinquents change and become better through sports (Football and basketball)
b) Most delinquents are black
c) Inspiring coaches
d) Games are used to learn teamwork and positive social support network
e) Delinquents are boys

Allow me to focus on point E.

Ever wonder why there arent many inspiring bad-girl-turn-good-girl movies?

a) No example
b) Girls are supposed to be easier. Portraying them wont be dramatic enuff for movies
c) All girls are made of Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice. So no need rehab, just make them realise how sweet they are naturally.

I believe girls play a different game of life than boys. Theirs are described as psychological games, which requires more emotional and intimate relationship. Honestly, i dun haf much success story to share and to reinforce my existing hypothesis. Engaging girls, are TOUGHER.

I also believe this is the consequence of the game played by the society; the girls-are-supposed-to-be-nice-and-we-have-to-pay-MORE-attention-to-the boys game. We are constantly surprised by the horrible things that girls commit, and we also secretly EXPECT or even ANTICIPATE the boys to behave worst. With this, we have 1001 strategies to address the boys, but less than 10 models of intervention for the girls.

How do we then, inspire the girls?

If we can satisfy the boys' testosterone via sports, hence increasing their perception of self-worth, what can we do on the girls to boost their, errmm... female hormones? Get DELICIOUS looking coach to be their role models?

I also wonder if the same model of intervention is applicable on the girls too. What should be the approach? coach to player r.ship? gerlfren to gerlfren? kakak to adik?

I think, the underlying formula that affect change in the lives of these youths are not merely the sports, the games, the trophy, etc. Its not about igniting the hormones either. Those are the initial attraction, i agree. But what makes them stay, and listen, and DECIDE to take charge of their life, is the powerful relationship they have with their coaches. They stay because of their coaches BELIEF in them more than they could imagine they can. It is the POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP formed by at least ONE adult in a young person's life.

America has Coach Carter, Coach Herman Boone (Remember the Titans) and Mr Sean Potter (Gridiron Gang). These are the real (or reflection of) people who believe in the youths' potential to be good and to be positive in life.

Who's going to believe in Singaporean Youths?

You dun need to be a coach, teacher, probation officer.

You just haf to BELIEVE.

And aspire to SEE change.

Put a full stop to juvenile crimes.

Come on people! Let us be big brother and big sister to the little ones.

Mentor! (hadza fi'il amr ya'ni)

humaira
inspired.

Its about the ummah. Its ALL about Him.