Gangs in Our Society Essay Example
Running head: GANGS: THE EFFECT ON SOCIETY 1
Gangs: The Effect on Society 2
Abstract
Crime is a growing problem in cities around the United States. A big part of this problem can be attributed to gangs. The number of people who get injured or killed by gang violence continues to rise. Some people feel the criminal justice system is failing to control the growth and strength of gangs in communities and prisons alike. In today’s society, the age of gang members continues to decrease while the number of them continues to increase. As youth continue to age the chance that they will end up in prison increases. There will be focus on the relationship between prison and street gangs and how society is affected as a result of these gangs. It is important to look at how gang violence can be reduced if not prevented all together.
Introduction and Background Gangs in America flourish in an environment where basic social institutions such as family, role models, and education are weak. Often found in ghettos and poor, lower class neighborhoods, gangs can also thrive in rural and suburban areas (Palmer, 2010). Before we begin to explore the various aspects of gangs, it is important to define what a gang is. There are many definitions and much debate about gangs among law enforcement and scholars. For this reason constructing a definition that represents all types of gangs becomes problematic and almost impossible. For this paper I will use the Ohio Revised Code definition of a gang which is, “Any organization, association, or group of persons, either formal or informal, which may have a common name or identifying sign or symbol, whose members or associates engage in activities
Gangs: The Effect on Society
Gangs: The Effect on Society 2
Abstract
Crime is a growing problem in cities around the United States. A big part of this problem can be attributed to gangs. The number of people who get injured or killed by gang violence continues to rise. Some people feel the criminal justice system is failing to control the growth and strength of gangs in communities and prisons alike. In today’s society, the age of gang members continues to decrease while the number of them continues to increase. As youth continue to age the chance that they will end up in prison increases. There will be focus on the relationship between prison and street gangs and how society is affected as a result of these gangs. It is important to look at how gang violence can be reduced if not prevented all together.
Introduction and Background Gangs in America flourish in an environment where basic social institutions such as family, role models, and education are weak. Often found in ghettos and poor, lower class neighborhoods, gangs can also thrive in rural and suburban areas (Palmer, 2010). Before we begin to explore the various aspects of gangs, it is important to define what a gang is. There are many definitions and much debate about gangs among law enforcement and scholars. For this reason constructing a definition that represents all types of gangs becomes problematic and almost impossible. For this paper I will use the Ohio Revised Code definition of a gang which is, “Any organization, association, or group of persons, either formal or informal, which may have a common name or identifying sign or symbol, whose members or associates engage in activities
Gangs: The Effect on Society