The development of gangs over the many years of their existence has caused the growth of different gangs and gang members to all parts of the world. These developing gangs have created major attention and awareness to this culture of life that is becoming so common amongst our communities. There have been said to be around 30,000 or more gangs with at least 800,000 gang members in the United States, whom were fully active in 2007. In 2009, the statics showed 147,000 in the United States prison and detention (jail) facilities and 900,000 living within our communities around the United States. Gangs in America and around the world often bring our young kids into this violent life of guns, drugs, murder, burglary, and many more criminal activities and heinous crimes.…
Presently, youths and adolescent teens have become progressively enticed to join gangs. An individual joining a gang or a non-criminal group consists of different pushes and pulls that work in tandem to represent an attraction or dominating force. In this case, for example, “gang membership can increase status among peers, especially girls (for boys)” while also allowing the opportunity to be with them (Why Do Youth Join Gangs?). Gangs also provide a sense of excitement through illicit drug selling and the ability to earn money. By committing these illicit acts, youths perceive themselves making a rational choice in their decision to join a gang. It is assumed candidates for gangs are already delinquent or have a high probability for delinquency…
Gangs have produced a culture of their own; surprisingly similar to many other groups in mainstream society. Religious, political, and special interest groups can all be compared to gangs and their ideology. Typically, groups are born through a shared idea or goal by similar individuals. Many ideas may be radical or may not follow the “norms” set by mainstream society. Conflicts between groups are neither rare nor uncommon because of the simple fact that not all ideas will be shared by everyone in society. In history, the basis of many wars has been mainly caused by religious differences. A similar comparison can be made between gangs and the other members of society. Different groups in society have different ways of achieving a variety of set goals such as money or status. Gangs do not have the same means of achieving wealth, happiness, respect or social status as mainstream society does. These ideas of innovation are a result of gang members rejecting socially accepted means but accepting the ends or set goals. Deviant behavior has developed in gangs because of their way of obtaining money and status. Mainstream society has set the example that a “successful” individual in life will conform to the idea that many years of education will lead to a career which will essentially provide a steady income. In theory, gangs resort to violence and criminal activity because of their rejection to socially accepted, mainstream goals. For example, as the unemployment rate increases, research has found that property crime increases as well. Gang members, as mentioned by Bobrowski’s studies, contribute mostly to Part II offenses such as property crime. In addition, Reiner mention’s that one of the three realities of life that drive gang crime is unemployment. With this evidence we can conclude that there is a positive correlation between gang crime and mainstream…
This article discusses several different ways to prevent youth gang violence. It talks about how youth and gang violence is ruining the country. It enlightens you on how youths are being robbed, raped and killed by one another. It talks about strengthen law enforcement and about securing a safe haven for the next generation. I had no idea youth gang violence was this massive. Gang violence involving youth membership has gained attention worldwide and this article will be useful toward research…
In a city where gang violence wreaks havoc and calamity occurs often, one neighborhood has the fortunate ability to end gang violence all together. By making the decision to close down a single house among many, the city of Sunnyside, WA along with its police department, have (Courtney)achieved their duty as Act Utilitarian’s. Their actions resulted in substantial consequences that have been shown to maximize the greater good of the entire community.…
Esbensen, F.-A. (2004, June). Evaluating GREAT School Based Gang Prevention Program. Retrieved from Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/33074920/Evaluating-GREAT-School-Based-Gang-Prevention-Program…
When a gang becomes a genuine gang it is at this time when they become a great concern as a threat to society. The formation, expansion and the consequent actions of gangs greatly affect society. It has been consistently found that gangs are normally linked to serious crimes and violence (Decker, Melde & Pyrooz, 2013). As these gangs become constant and stable fixtures in their community they become a permanent option for marginalized…
They have poisoned our streets with drugs, violence, and hateful crimes. I have researched many different kinds of gangs to motorcycle gangs like the “Hells Angels” to the prison gangs such as the “Latin Kings”. Why is there gang violence, how does it impact our daily lives, and how can it be prevented? Gang violence, is the most organized as a well sophisticated crime that comes into play here in America as well as other countries.…
Gangs are fully entrenched in many suburban communities across the nation. Gangs are a dangerous and a plague that has infected almost every city in the United States. Many notable gangs such as the Chicago-based Gangster Disciples, Black Peace Stones, and Latin Kings are the root of this epidemic. At this time gang activity was largely confined to urban areas, which raises a huge problem with the recruitment of the youth of this nation into gangs littered with murders and drug dealers. This problem has gone on for decades and the real issue isn’t the gang violence the real issue is the recruiting of children from low income families into these gangs. Kids from low income communities feel like they have no way out of the gang because of the gripping reins of socioeconomics holding them back. We are so disgusted when we hear about children in Africa that are forced to hold a gun and go to war, but that is what is happening here on American soil. This should be a top priority among citizens to stop this recruitment of children into gang warfare.…
Gangs have become an epic problem in the United States. It is very essential important in attempting to solve this problem by fully understanding how we can prevent individuals from joining a gang. A gang is group of three of more people that share a common bond and that are loyal to one another, whether it’s for economic reason or violence. The National Gang Center estimates that 32.4% of all cities in the United States experienced gang problems in 2008 (National Criminal Justice Reference Service, 2010). There are three main reasons why I fell that gangs have impacted the criminal justice system in three phenomenal ways. One, gangs have affected many communities; two, gangs influence our…
In society, we often see impoverished communities lacking many of the routine social structures that are present in more affluent communities. Human being have a desire to belong to certain social structures that may be lacking in poorer communities. It is this need —for belonging — that gangs fulfill. Gangs present a dichotomy, offering protection and a sense of belonging to its member; and at other times preying on its members through exploitative practices like gang initiation, prostitution, and drug dealing. Although gangs offer some benefits to its members, becoming a gang member is usually a choice that is made because of limited alternative and lack of perceived social acceptance. Further influencing the leap into gang life is the common…
Most gang problems begin in small cities and rural counties. They may exist more in small cities and poor areas because of kids living condition. They’re more exposed to violent crime and see that lifestyle as something great. The factors can be physical abuse, having access to weapons and drugs, living poverty, having access to weapons and drugs, and lack of success in places such as school. Factors like these are the things that are increasing gangs jurisdictions. “The number of jurisdictions reporting youth gangs increased by 4.1 percent for the Nation as a whole, as shown by comparison of the estimated number of jurisdictions reporting gangs prior to 1996 with those reporting gangs in 1996.” (OJJDP) “Youth gang members were estimated to have been involved in 2,364 homicides in large cities and 561 homicides in suburban counties.” (OJJDP) gangs problem in this country is significant and affects communities of all sizes. According to NYGS surveys, gang problem will continue to grow over the following years to…
Over the years gun violence has been a prevalent in several parts of our nation. It has been depressing due to most of the persons involve in these volatile act are getting caught in the cross fire are young adults and children. In our society today we are having a debate on the topic whether gun laws are enforced enough and what are the necessary steps need to take to reduce these acts from occurring. Everyday more and more lives are affected on a consistent basis, Individuals are concern about their safety because guns are being used in increasing the numbers of lives taken each day. I find it to be disgraceful and disappointing for our young children growing up to hear about gun violence in our area or different part of the United States.…
Unlike other societal trauma, such as domestic violence or human trafficking, with gang violence it is a little bit more difficult to distinguish a singular perpetrator. Typically, there is an established hierarchy between victim and perpetrator. Perpetrators assert a sense of superiority over their victims. In regards to gang violence, those engaging in violent acts are almost identical in socioeconomic and cultural factors to their victims. The true difference between victim and perpetrator is matter of choice. Like their victims, perpetrators face poverty, lack of opportunity, and oppression. However, perpetrators choose to accomplish their goals and attempt to regain control over their situation by instilling fear in community members.…
In the recent year of two-thousand sixteen, the city of Chicago’s gang homicide rate has been the highest in over fifteen years, and is said to be the deadliest year. Hundreds of innocent people have perished from being caught in crossfire, and no one is trying to stop it. The violence is absolutely out of control and it needs to be stopped.…