Youth Gangs Research Paper

Youth gangs have long populated cities and have had an immense impact on many citizens across the world. Thousands have wondered why over 3000 Canadian youth join blatantly dangerous gangs and why they continue to stay in such unhealthy and threatening environments. (Government of Canada) Citizens have deep concerns over why the governments in countless countries have been unable to reduce the rate of these organizations. Gangs are a result of the flaws present in human society and only through the actions of society gangs can be prevented from flourishing. Both the origins and methods of reduction of youth gangs can be greatly understood through sociology perspectives. The decline of properly functioning social institutions, prejudice, and
social identity have together formed teen gangs, and the same concepts can be used to reduce the number of gangs in the society.

Structural functionalism, a theory influenced by sociologist Emile Durkheim, state that social institutions are all created to benefit individuals, and when they all work together, it can create equilibrium in society. The reasons why youth join gangs can be analyzed through two perspectives. Firstly, teenagers joining a gang can be a result of social institutions not working sufficiently enough to protect the individuals that are at grave risk. Schools are institutions that are created to help young adults navigate and build a better life for themselves, however. if the school is not functioning as it should be, the young adults become the victims (Peggy Daniels). It is reported that 95% of dedicated gang members have dropped out of high school (Mike Carley). This is largely due to the fact that these adolescents believe that school is of no use and will provide them with nothing in their future. When structural functionalism fails to work, it can result in severe consequences such as children dropping out of high school and joining gangs. These groups can also be looked as though they are social institution themselves. Gangs, through the use of social media and other methods advertise the luxurious perks of joining by creating a false image. (Peggy Daniels). Young adults believe that gangs will provide them with the necessities they need such as money, power, protection and belonging, which mainstream institutions do not offer. (LAPD). Due to this, the naive children are blinded and manipulated into joining these organizations. Both perspectives can be attributed to one conclusion: the failure of social institutions. To reduce the number of gangs, the schooling systems, especially ones in affected areas are in drastic need of improvement. Many teenagers drop out believing that school is ultimately useless, yet if the content and teachings are enhanced to help them, youth will become more inclined to attend school (Peggy Daniels). Programs have also been implemented to help high-risk teenagers discover other institutions that offer similar benefits of gangs, but not result in extreme repercussions, both mental and physical. If youth join these programs, they will not feel the need to join a gang and will function with much less worry and fear (Peggy Daniels). Though the failures of social institutions have led to the formation of gangs, it can also be what reduces the expansion of gangs across the world. As the theory states, if all institutions are working optimally, it will benefit all.

Racism and prejudice have played and still continue to play a tremendous role in the creation of gangs.
In North America, minorities, especially those of African American and Latino descent have suffered the highest forms of injustice, and unsurprisingly, teenagers belonging to the races of Latino and African compose 45% and 35% of gang members respectively. (National Gang Center). This is largely due to the stereotypes enforced on these individuals by society. Those of African heritage have been stereotyped by media and politicians as savage-like, dangerous and evil, and Latino people have been standardized as lazy and unintelligent. (Psychology Today). These simplified social views have completely disregarded individual variation and birthed prejudices. As a result, many minorities are alienated and denied opportunities only due to the colour of their skin. Discrimination leads to anger, violence, self-hatred, low self- esteem and an overall poor mental health ( ). Since these youth feel as if society has victimized them and they are treated unfairly, they join gangs. The anger and violence present in individuals may lead to the formation of gangs as an act of rebellion. They then take out their anger out on the world as revenge for the treatment they were subjected to. Self-hatred can lead to feelings of isolation, one of the worst punishments youth can experience (Peggy Daniels). To compensate for these emotions, they join gangs which offer temporary
feelings of belonging that they desperately crave. One of the ways to reduce the number of gangs is by preventing discrimination, one of humanity’s biggest imperfections. However, due to its prevalence since the roots of human civilization, prejudice and discrimination cannot be solved overnight, and it will take many lifetimes. Nevertheless, there are many steps society can take to reduce this issue. One of the first actions that can be taken is the breakdown of the negative stereotypes that are placed on minorities. Action is also extremely important in battling this issue. When minorities are being targeted, others coming to their aid will diminish the isolation that these adolescents harbour. The most powerful weapon of reducing racism and discrimination is through education ( ). It is essential to teach these young minorities that they carry much more potential than the stereotypes they have been assigned. If the social institutions performs its duty, then victims will build a sense of self-esteem and not subject themselves to the devastating effects of racism. This, in turn, leads to youth believing that they do not need a gang for happiness and social belonging.

Gangs, more than anything else provide adolescents with a sense of social identity and belonging, which all youth deeply crave (Government of Canada).
The looking-glass self, a theory by Charles Clooney state that the social identity of one is formed by the people they most interact with, refered to as the primary group. For many teens, the primary would be parents, siblings and close friends. If the parents of teenagers are members of gangs, they will grow up with a positive attitude towards the gangs and feel as they also belong there. In fact, many family members play a pivotal role in their children joining gangs (FBI). “Fitting in” is also an important topic when discussing gangs. Friends that belong to gangs would make the idea of a gang more appealing and thereby convince the teen themselves to join. Many teens base their choices on the approval of their friends, and if the gang is regarded as “cool” by friends then adolescents feel as though it is an appropriate method of developing an identity. By joining the gang, teens feel as if their is a stronger sense of belonging in relation to their friends and family. ( Youth Government )The primary members of a teen’s lives have an immense impact on what builds the social identity of these teens. However, if these essential people of a teenager’s life are not present, it can cause complications. The absence of family in an adolescent's life and ones with parents who do not play an active part in their life prevent teens
from proper guidance, causing gangs to look appealing. Gangs act as a surrogate family for these youth who crave family and an emotional sense of security. (Mike Carley). Since parents and other members failed to give youth a sense of identity, they rely on gangs to form a social identity. When teens join gangs the immediate sense of acceptance is extremely evident. All members were the same type of clothing, same accessories and live in the same neighbourhoods. (Peggy Daniels) Though gangs also result in many difficulties, it offers them the acceptance and identity they covet. The way to prevent youth from joining gangs is by helping them create a social identity and sense of belonging without gangs. This could be by strengthening family bonds and aiding parents to take better care of their children so they feel loved and valued. (Youth Government). Another way is through creating programs for high-risk youth. If they were to join a soccer team instead, they will receive the same sense of belonging and identity of a gang, but without the life altering consequences. (Peggy Daniels). Adolescents are motivated by the need to belong and if programs offered can provide them with acceptance and a sense of self, gangs will greatly reduce. ( Peggy Daniels). Social Identity and belonging are extremely important to anyone, and it is crucial that teenagers be offered a safe, healthy alternative to gangs that builds identity and form belonging.

Through studies, in sociology it has become evident that gangs are a result of human mistakes in society and actions taken by society can greatly reduce gangs. The failure of social institutions, prejudice and racism in society and lack of identity and belonging in communities have all led to gangs being formed. However, taking actions that prevent these can be what will prevent gangs from achieving success and power. Gangs have a colossal impact on almost every citizen inhabiting those areas and are a threat that needs to be stopped. Youth in gangs suffer 60 times higher chance of death than non-members and it is extremely important that methods should be taken so teens do not die because of a culture that was caused by human imperfections ( Peggy Daniels).