Gangs of Youth Essay Example

school requires an efficient gang prevention strategy. However, before moving forward, I will initially explore the growth of street gangs, their historical background, and their influence on society, particularly on young individuals. Additionally, I will present recent studies on current gang statistics in select countries. Armed with this information, I can now concentrate on practical measures to combat and prevent gang activity. What exactly are gangs? According to The Children's Health Encyclopedia [n.d.], there exist various definitions of youth gangs.

In general, the members of this "loosely-organized association" were once marginalized by society. They are led by an informal leader and typically fall within the age range of 12 to 24. Each member identifies with a pack name as a way to establish their belonging. Commonalities are shared among the members of the pack.

Typically, members of gangs share the same race, ethnicity, societal category, or some defining characteristic represented by symbols like tattoos, graffiti, clothing, or hand signals. According to Safe Youth [2007], gangs are often dominated by males and have their own territory. Many male members have experienced the absence of a male figure in their home. The same applies to females.

These packs, which are frequently engaged in group activities during household emergencies or drug addiction problems, are typically characterized as young individuals who flee their homes. Furthermore, some of these packs may belong to a larger collective of packs. Several pack organizations have multiple mother groups that exhibit similar characteristics and culture.

These packs often have their own regulations and conduct guidelines, along with unique rituals. They consider themselves as family or kin since they initially formed due to feeling disconnected from their personal

lives. Gangs offer members a feeling of inclusion and assistance.

By collaborating and advocating for their own interests, individuals can acquire power and influence. Gang members receive assurances of protection or improved social standing, resulting in heightened confidence and reputation. In order to secure their desires, they participate in organized criminal endeavors that frequently involve violence and present substantial hazards to numerous lives. As per U.S.

According to Johnson and Muhlhausen [ 2005 ], in order for a group within the Department of Justice to be classified as gangs, they are required to participate in criminal acts such as extortion, robbery, smuggling, and drug trafficking.

The main concerns revolve around weapons trafficking and supporting their district. To clarify, there are two types of packs: metropolis packs and urban/rural packs [Green, 1999]. In metropolises,

Packs are located in unconventional areas, unlike in urban/rural countries. Some packs are spread out and required to relocate in order to be with their members. Green [1999] identified three indicators of packs: saggin', flaggin', and braggin'. Sagging refers to a style of dressing.

Gangsters usually dress in loose clothing, like baggy pants and tilted caps, to establish a recognizable appearance. Certain gangs have their own distinct style that differentiates them from others, often defined by particular hairstyles and leather jackets. Flagging involves displaying colors, as gangs adopt a specific branding color that symbolizes their identity. Lastly, boasting is straightforward; gangsters openly boast about being part of the mob but keep their illicit activities hidden.

In their 2005 paper "North American Transnational Youth Gangs: Interrupting the Chain of Violence," Johnson and Muhlhausen assert that the emergence of youth gangs in North America can be linked to the conclusion

of the American Revolution. They contend that instances of gang-related violence surged during periods of immigration and population displacement in the early 1800s, 1920s, 1960s, and late 1990s. It is noteworthy that gangs were already widespread in Europe during the fourteenth century.

The 1999 National Youth Gang Survey reveals that gangs in the United States are composed of diverse ethnicities. Specifically, Latinos make up 47 percent, African-Americans represent 31 percent, Caucasians account for 13 percent, Asians comprise 7 percent, and other ethnic groups constitute 3 percent. It is important to acknowledge that these percentages may be influenced by the presence of around 10 to 12 million undocumented Hispanic immigrants from the 1970s to the 1990s.

The initial Latino organizations, Calle 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, were the forerunners in incorporating individuals from different nationalities into their ranks and broadening their recruitment efforts beyond local communities. This encompassed youths enrolled in elementary and middle schools who engage in activities like wielding weapons, stealing money, and trafficking drugs.

The GWC. Inc. [ 1997 ] argued that packs exploit children because if they are caught, they will not go to jail.

According to Johnson and Muhlhausen (2005), during the nineteenth century, East Coast cities had a concentration of Irish and Italian street gangs. Similarly, African-American gangs were primarily located in Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s. When families migrate, their new neighborhood often lacks organization, making them susceptible to crime and gang activity. The statistics provided by GWC support this notion.

According to the FBI's Gang Guide [1997], approximately 400,000 young individuals are believed to be part of gangs in the United States. The Journal of American Medical Association indicates that 94% of

these gangs operate in urban areas. Additionally, the American Street Gang affirms that these urban regions can house as many as 40 distinct gangs.According to the Children’s Health Encyclopedia, gang activities were prevalent in more than 90% of America's largest cities during the period from 1996 to 2001. A study conducted between 1998 and 1999 revealed a 27% surge in gang membership in suburban areas and a corresponding increase of 29% in rural areas.

Gangs affect individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Latino and African American minority groups. Their influence is not limited to any particular nationality or cultural heritage. Regardless of their economic status or geographical location, various groups are deeply involved in gang activities. As previously stated, males typically assume prominent roles within gangs, whereas females often join when they encounter familial problems and choose to escape their homes.

According to A. Campbell's research, female pack members are at a higher risk in terms of pack rank. Johnson and Muhlhausen [2005] found that the pack activity was 270 in 1970, but it had skyrocketed by 800 percent by 1998, reaching a total of 2.

A study conducted in Cleveland revealed that 44.7% of gang members were involved in car theft, unlike youths-at-risk.

Members had a substantially higher percentage of 40%, whereas non-members only had a percentage of 4.1% in...

Participation in "drive-by shootings" was reported by only 4% of pack members and 2% of non-members.

According to reports, 34.0% of pack members have been involved in intimidating or assaulting offense victims or informants. There have been no reports of similar incidents involving non-members. Additionally, a significantly higher percentage (72.3%) of pack members admitted to assaulting challengers compared to non-members (16.3%).

Additionally,

the research indicates that individuals who are part of a gang have a much higher rate of involvement in robberies (17.0%) compared to those who are not gang members (2.0%). This survey implies that belonging to a gang amplifies one's vulnerability even more than individuals who are already susceptible but not associated with a gang.

Safe Youth's study from 2007 revealed that young individuals often join youth gangs before turning 18, despite common belief. However, these young gang members typically end their association with the gang within a year.

Our previous claim that pack members are more at risk compared to non-members is supported by the fact that only about half to two-thirds of pack members remain in their group. According to Howell and Decker [ 1999 ], young pack members have a higher rate of drug use than non-gang members. Furthermore, Battin-Pearson et al. [ 1998 ] reported that delinquency rates are higher among pack members.

Between 1989 and 1995, the United States Departments of Education and Justice reported a notable rise in pack activity. This encompassed illegal drug use, violent behavior, and arrests, indicating a strong connection between packs and the existence of guns and drugs in schools. However, Chandler has pointed out some conflicting results in the survey.

According to et Al. [ 1996 ], packs have not been the cause of victimization within schools, but they do contribute to an unsafe atmosphere. Packs in schools have even provided protection for minority group students. The 2002 and 2003 National Youth Gang Surveys reported that 4 out of 10 major cities in the United States experienced 10 or more gang homicides. In Los Angeles and Chicaga, half

of the reported 1.

In a survey conducted by Johnson and Muhlhausen [2005], it was discovered that a large number of homicides, reaching 000, were connected to gang activities. This demonstrates a high occurrence of involvement in criminal behavior. The research identified various factors that raise the probability of a young individual becoming part of a gang, including residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods, encountering familial issues, experiencing academic challenges, being influenced by peers, engaging in drug use, and exposure to violence.

Johnson and Muhlhausen [2005] state that residing in marginalized neighborhoods raises the probability of individuals engaging in gang activities. These neighborhoods are also highly prone to drug abuse, especially marijuana. In these areas, young people have a 3.6 times higher likelihood of joining gangs. Additionally, young individuals from single-parent households face twice the risk of affiliating with gangs.

Children in households without both parents, especially boys who lack a male parental figure, are more likely to form groups rather than children in households with two parents. This is because broken households provide an easier opportunity for children to find companionship and love within these groups.

As long as families promote violence and lack parental attention and love, young people can be easily led astray and join gangs. Academic issues can lead to higher gang rankings because gangs can boost the self-esteem of individuals who struggle academically. Since academic failure often results in low self-esteem, these young people are more vulnerable to gang influence.

A child is six times more likely to join a pack if they have low commitment to studying in school. This could imply that they prefer engaging in other activities, which can often be violent and may

or may not occur within school grounds. Peer groups serve as strong motivators for young individuals to join packs.

When you have friends who are members of such gangs, you are also twice as likely to get involved. Peer pressure is often difficult to resist because friendships are broken if you cannot do a favor for a friend. We understand that people need companionship, especially in school, and it is challenging without friends around. They also provide protection. Drugs and violence can easily prompt gang membership.

Young individuals who already use Marijuana are 3.7 times more likely to join gangs. This statement holds validity as the only source to obtain such drugs is likely from gang members. To facilitate easier access to marijuana, one should consider joining these gangs. Additionally, it has been uncovered that previous engagement in violent behavior by these young individuals also contributes to their likelihood of affiliating with gangs.

They are three types of clips that are more likely to fall into gangs. According to Lonnie Jackson [1998], the author of Gangbusters: Schemes for bar and intercession, he also provided a list of risk factors. This list includes once again the exposure to crime and violence during the "formative years". In addition, role models from a specific cultural group can also increase the likelihood of gang involvement. It also includes a lack of parental control.

Furthermore, the lack of equal economic opportunities can also be a reason for gang involvement. The lack of social and recreational activities for children, limited job opportunities, and unmet employment qualifications and skills can trigger gang involvement. Youth who are tempted by the opportunity to gain money and drugs are

clearly more prone to joining these gangs. The allure of instant gratification is very appealing to certain young individuals, which encourages their involvement in gangs.

Moreover, the lack of a sense of belonging and security, as well as feelings of powerlessness, can lead young people to join gangs. Additionally, the influence of gangs can also come from the media. Although there is no solid evidence of violence depicted in movies, even the lyrics of hip-hop or rap music can indirectly pressure individuals to join gangs because gang lifestyles are often glamorized and portrayed with power, causing young people to imitate them.

The current trend among young people is to dress up like mobsters, even though they are not actual mobsters. Many of them join gangs because they perceive it as being cool. The presence of gangs in schools has a significant impact on increasing violence in schools, although the blame cannot solely be placed on gang members. According to Trump [1993], students enrolled in schools with evident gang presence are twice as likely to fear becoming victims of violence compared to those whose schools do not have gangs. Boyle [1992] stated in an interview that gang members view schools as evil and confining institutions.

They view school as a location for gathering and facilitating violent activities. Even more concerning is the fact that expelled or suspended gang members can still be found on campus with their gang associates. Instead of seeing school as a place for learning, they perceive it as a social gathering spot.

Burnett and Walz [ 1994 ] suggested that packs have the ability to expand their reach and influence young people in gang-free schools, leading

to greater involvement in criminal activities. Chandler et al. [ 1998 ] noted a correlation between youth gangs and delinquency issues, particularly in elementary and secondary schools.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics [2005], the majority of students in urban schools are more likely to report the presence of street packs in their school, with 31% compared to suburban students and rural students with 18% and 12% respectively. Thompkins [2000] suggests that security officers, security cameras, and metal detectors can be used as a deterrent, but these measures also instill fear among the school community due to the increasing gang activity.

The influence of gangs on individuals is significant. Many gang members are already engaged in delinquent behaviors even before they officially join the gang [Burnett and Walz, 1994]. It is likely that these delinquent behaviors will continue, and gang members may become even more involved in drug abuse, violence towards others, and other negative activities.

Being involved in packs can have various consequences. Those who do not comply with the rules set by their pack leaders are likely to suffer the same fate as victims, facing more penalties than non-members. Furthermore, if the packs are uncovered, they can be apprehended and placed in detention.

When they become adults, individuals may be incarcerated. Gang life can severely affect numerous positive relationships, especially if it is a long-term engagement. These groups exert significant control over their members and can hinder their personal potential.

It has the power to deprive individuals of their own hopes and dreams, causing chaos within the community and potentially disrupting families. There is a higher likelihood that a young person may drop out of school

prematurely, resulting in reduced opportunities for future employment and subsequently increasing both the unemployment and crime rates.

Furthermore, it can also lead to early pregnancy or teenage pregnancy, resulting in an unstable family and lack of parental care. As mentioned earlier, such families are more likely to produce delinquent children. Hence, we observe a cycle occurring here. If you expose your child to an unstable environment, they are likely to carry it with them in the future. This has an economic impact on youth gangs.

Like any other crimes, youth gangs also have economic costs. The medical expenses incurred by the victims are significant. In the United States, a staggering $655 billion is spent annually due to crimes, with a significant portion believed to be attributed to gang-related activities. For instance, the Los Angeles Hospital injury center disclosed that they had spent $5 million treating 272 victims of gang-related gun violence.

According to reports, youth gangs have become entrepreneurial organizations involved in drug operations in multiple states. One example is the Black Gangster Disciples Nation [Burnett and Walz, 1994]. This organization has a hierarchical structure with various officers who have specialized roles. They are led by a president and a board of managers who oversee drug trafficking in their respective areas.

They have trustees who oversee the drug supply and management of "drug" shops. They also have country coordinators who collect revenue from multiple locations.

The organization possesses hatchet men who act as their constabulary and impose punishments on members who engage in cheating. Additionally, they employ individuals known as "shorties" or "interns" who make up the staff in the drug selling areas. Thus, it is evident that this group

is highly organized and has increased their influence and power throughout their progression.

The issue of gang activities is a serious one that requires attention. Many young people are being led astray, causing harm to their own lives, as well as the lives of those around them and their future. However, it is never too late to help them escape their misery and protect those who are at risk of becoming victims.

The National Education Association created a "Safe Schools Framework" to help schools and communities address gangs in their areas [Safe Youth. 2007]. They are encouraging collaboration among schools, families, and communities to develop strategies for reducing gangs in their areas.

Promoting safety and security on campus is our top priority. We implement three components of the model: prevention, intervention, and suppression. It includes measures for prevention, such as promoting safe practices. Additionally, intervention strategies are utilized to identify and address potential risks. Lastly, suppression techniques are implemented to ensure a secure environment on campus.

In order to prevent young people from getting involved in gangs and gang-related activities, we should raise awareness and provide education about the negative consequences of joining gangs. Testimonies from former gang members can also be effective in dissuading them from getting involved. Additionally, intervention efforts should focus on creating alternative options for the youth in terms of after-school or extra-curricular activities.

We offer assistance to those already in trouble and encourage part-time jobs for students. We should use fair measures in addressing isolation, punishment, and rehabilitation for criminals [Safe Youth, 2007].

In order to combat the presence of gangs in schools, it is suggested that policies such as implementing a school uniform, enforcing curfews

to discourage delinquent activities during nighttime, promoting punctuality among students, and implementing strict rules against underage drinking and possession of deadly weapons in schools should be implemented. The Chicago Area Project, initiated in the 1930s, aimed to introduce recreational activities and self-improvement initiatives to convert gang members [Johnson and Muhlhausen, 2005]. However, this approach only led to an increase in crime as gangs were treated as a collective. Similarly, other states faced similar challenges.

Even though they have strict anti-gang laws, their implementation has not been successful. California, Minnesota, and Virginia have formed gang task forces, but their success largely depends on sustained efforts, various strategies, and strong political determination. Achieving this level of effectiveness in all states is extremely challenging in the USA.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has proposed various strategies to reduce delinquency, such as after-school activities, dropout prevention programs, parent-training plans, efficient monitoring of former offenders, and career plans. Unfortunately, many of these initiatives have not been successful in reducing delinquency [Johnson and Muhlhausen. 2005]. Additionally, other programs like the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT), which utilized police officers as teachers to educate students about the dangers of gang involvement, did not have a significant impact on gang membership [Johnson and Muhlhausen. 2005].

Furthermore, the Department of Labor's on-the-job preparation has resulted in unforeseen outcomes. Instead of preventing at-risk youth, it has actually heightened concerns about gang activity. Johnson and Muhlhausen (2005) recommend the following strategies: promoting stable communities and ensuring the government's responsibility for maintaining a safe environment.

They understand that an unstable neighborhood generates criminal activities, so by implementing policies that could promote

a safer neighborhood, it would greatly help in reducing gang involvement. Additionally, they must address the issue of illegal immigration. It is well-known that gangs form out of feelings of isolation and discrimination from society. By imposing stricter requirements for employment and immigration, we can also ensure the safety of these individuals and prevent the proliferation of gangs within the country. Lastly.

There should be measures in place to prevent association with gangs during recreational activities. Parents should be aware of their role in shaping their children's behavior and help them avoid being influenced by these groups by informing them about the potential dangers of gang affiliation. Additionally, individual prevention strategies should be emphasized and counseling programs should be enhanced.

Assisting students to overcome their family issues and encouraging them to find happiness in other activities, rather than turning to drugs and violence. Additionally, ensuring that addressing this issue is a result of collaborative efforts from various agencies. Enforcement of a policy will only be successful if there is a general consensus among people or collaboration. Strategies must also be implemented simultaneously to systematically address gang violence.

We have a long way to go in eradicating gang violence, but if we act now in our own communities, we can prevent children from getting involved in gangs. There are various resources available to help them, and it's important to focus on the sustainability and effectiveness of these tools in order to ensure success.

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