Juvenile Gangs
In America, the rise in violent crimes over the years can be attributed to Juvenile Gangs. In a March, 1996 study, DR .James Alan Fox, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice at Northeastern University reported that from 1985 to 1994, the rate of murder committed by teens, ages 14-17 increased 172 percent. So why do teenagers join gangs and become involved in risky behavior that can ultimately lead to incarceration, great bodily harm, or even death? What can they possibly gain from such a risky endeavor at such an early age? These questions have been raised for years by juvenile justice experts in an effort to prevent delinquency in children. It is very important to dig deep into a child’s environment to find answers to these questions.
Several
studies have been conducted over the years that identified potential risk factors that could potentially lead to gang involvement. Gender, race, and age, to name a few, and in addition, family factors ranging from structure to socioeconomic status could influence gang membership (Vito, Kunselman, 2012). Malcolm Klein, a professor at the University of Southern California proposed a minimal list that he concluded influenced a teen’s propensity to join a gang. He believes that low self-esteem and poor relationships with family members, especially parents, are some of the attributes of gang recruits. Teens that do not have adult figures in their lives are also at risk. Teens that associate with gang members and other delinquents have a tendency to joining gangs. Teens that perform poorly in school, and are lacking in skills, or interests that keep them occupied could also go down that road. Teens that are impulsive, exhibit poor conduct, and have a perception that they will be unable to secure a job and lead a productive life could be enticed at joining a gang.
There have been studies to determine if the risk factors for female gang involvement are different than those for juvenile males. Survey results from an eleven-city evaluation of the G.R.E.A.T. program confirm that gang membership is an equal opportunity promoter of delinquent behavior (Vito, Kunselman, 2012).
Several
studies have been conducted over the years that identified potential risk factors that could potentially lead to gang involvement. Gender, race, and age, to name a few, and in addition, family factors ranging from structure to socioeconomic status could influence gang membership (Vito, Kunselman, 2012). Malcolm Klein, a professor at the University of Southern California proposed a minimal list that he concluded influenced a teen’s propensity to join a gang. He believes that low self-esteem and poor relationships with family members, especially parents, are some of the attributes of gang recruits. Teens that do not have adult figures in their lives are also at risk. Teens that associate with gang members and other delinquents have a tendency to joining gangs. Teens that perform poorly in school, and are lacking in skills, or interests that keep them occupied could also go down that road. Teens that are impulsive, exhibit poor conduct, and have a perception that they will be unable to secure a job and lead a productive life could be enticed at joining a gang.
There have been studies to determine if the risk factors for female gang involvement are different than those for juvenile males. Survey results from an eleven-city evaluation of the G.R.E.A.T. program confirm that gang membership is an equal opportunity promoter of delinquent behavior (Vito, Kunselman, 2012).