For some of you "Straight Edg-ers"
Not So Straight Edge
In the regular monthly meeting of the South Orange County Gang Task Force, the activities of
the group Straight Edge were discussed. The officers have asked us to inform parents of a very disturb-ing turn that this group has taken. Straight Edge came out of the movie Fight Club and was portrayed in the movie as a group that was committed to a drug, alcohol, and sex free life style. Members were so committed to these concepts that they would use violence to convince anyone else that they were right. Many high school age students have flocked to this group, often with their parent’s blessings. In the last few years, Straight Edge has evolved into a cover for students involved in drugs, alcohol and sex. Students are using the claim that they are “Straight Edgers” to build trust with their parents and distract them from looking into their activities. Many of the web-sites dedicated to the Straight Edge life style continue to claim clean living but, according to the sheriff’s department, if you dig just a little deeper and go into the chat rooms you will find a very active drug community that goes against everything preached by the original Straight Edg-ers. When asked “How many of the Straight Edgers today still uphold the concepts of a drug, alcohol, and sex free life style?” the officer of the Gang Task Force responded “virtually none.” In addition, the violence of this group has escalated, as have other crimes associated with the group. For this reason
the District Attorney’s office is looking into classifying Straight Edge as a legally recognized gang. Another disturbing trend is many who start out in Straight Edge have “graduated” into various other white supremacy groups such as Metal Mulisha.
Recognizing if your child is involved in Straight Edge is not as easy as it once was. At its incep-tion, Straight Edgers could easily be recognized by an “X” on the back of their hand (often carved in the skin). They could also be spotted by their dark black hair, tight pants (boys often wear girl’s pants), studded belts and jewelry, and piercing (usually of the lip and eyebrows). As the Straight Edge life style has changed so has the appearance. The clothes have become more mainstreamed and the look has “morphed” into one that is no longer distinctive. The one remaining feature seems to be the dyed black hair. The purpose of this article is not to blanket all kids involved in this life style and say that because they are involved in Straight Edge they are bad. However, if you are a parent of a child claiming that he/ she is a Straight Edger, you need to be aware that it may no longer be the clean-cut life style originally
portrayed. The best weapon you have for keeping your child away from unhealthy life choices contin-ues to be YOUR involvement. Know whom they are spending time with and what they are doing and where they are doing it. Check up on them often and unannounced. Kids want you to be involved and want you keeping a close eye on them, regardless of what they say. It makes them feel safe and secure that you are in their life and they WILL thank you when they are grown.
In the regular monthly meeting of the South Orange County Gang Task Force, the activities of
the group Straight Edge were discussed. The officers have asked us to inform parents of a very disturb-ing turn that this group has taken. Straight Edge came out of the movie Fight Club and was portrayed in the movie as a group that was committed to a drug, alcohol, and sex free life style. Members were so committed to these concepts that they would use violence to convince anyone else that they were right. Many high school age students have flocked to this group, often with their parent’s blessings. In the last few years, Straight Edge has evolved into a cover for students involved in drugs, alcohol and sex. Students are using the claim that they are “Straight Edgers” to build trust with their parents and distract them from looking into their activities. Many of the web-sites dedicated to the Straight Edge life style continue to claim clean living but, according to the sheriff’s department, if you dig just a little deeper and go into the chat rooms you will find a very active drug community that goes against everything preached by the original Straight Edg-ers. When asked “How many of the Straight Edgers today still uphold the concepts of a drug, alcohol, and sex free life style?” the officer of the Gang Task Force responded “virtually none.” In addition, the violence of this group has escalated, as have other crimes associated with the group. For this reason
the District Attorney’s office is looking into classifying Straight Edge as a legally recognized gang. Another disturbing trend is many who start out in Straight Edge have “graduated” into various other white supremacy groups such as Metal Mulisha.
Recognizing if your child is involved in Straight Edge is not as easy as it once was. At its incep-tion, Straight Edgers could easily be recognized by an “X” on the back of their hand (often carved in the skin). They could also be spotted by their dark black hair, tight pants (boys often wear girl’s pants), studded belts and jewelry, and piercing (usually of the lip and eyebrows). As the Straight Edge life style has changed so has the appearance. The clothes have become more mainstreamed and the look has “morphed” into one that is no longer distinctive. The one remaining feature seems to be the dyed black hair. The purpose of this article is not to blanket all kids involved in this life style and say that because they are involved in Straight Edge they are bad. However, if you are a parent of a child claiming that he/ she is a Straight Edger, you need to be aware that it may no longer be the clean-cut life style originally
portrayed. The best weapon you have for keeping your child away from unhealthy life choices contin-ues to be YOUR involvement. Know whom they are spending time with and what they are doing and where they are doing it. Check up on them often and unannounced. Kids want you to be involved and want you keeping a close eye on them, regardless of what they say. It makes them feel safe and secure that you are in their life and they WILL thank you when they are grown.