My teenage daughter is dating a boy in foster care and an ex gang member. should i be concerned?

Answer 1

very I suppose that might have been my first reaction too, but then I thought about it. You acknowledge he's an ex-gang-banger, and to be an ex takes a lot of character and determination, especially as he knows he might well become a target of some of his ex friends. He's in foster care instead of prison, so he is trying to have as much of a normal life as he can given his tough start. Everyone can make a mistake, but everyone is entitled to a second chance. How does he treat your daughter? If he treats her good, embrace the kid a little. Talk to his foster mom about his living habits; see if he stays out for three days and comes home smelling of pot, or with a big wad of 20s. Your daughter seems to like him, and making a big deal out of his past will probably do nothing more than make her more determined to see him, you know that. Don't condemn the kid before you know him; he's probably just as lost, confused and scared as we were when we were kids. This is your big moment to help someone shine a little, and you should take it. Trust your daughter's lead on this one.