Juvenile Gangs and Gang Violence in America Essay Example
Introduction
Gang formation among American youths is a result of their search for solutions to personal issues. The national survey of law enforcement jurisdiction estimates that America has approximately one million gang members. Various factors like poverty, the prevalence of weapons and drugs in communities, along with other social problems contribute to the existence of gangs.
The text discusses the factors contributing to gang formation, namely drugs, weapons, and poverty. It asserts that gangs thrive during times of societal decay or economic decline. In such circumstances, young people join gangs to regain their social identity and enhance their self-esteem. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of juvenile gangs and gang violence in America.
Causes of Juvenile Gangs and Violence
Gangs become an attractive option for youth when legal avenues for survival are limited. They serve
...as a reflection of the overall state of young individuals within their society.
When a youth joins a gang, they are attracted to the excitement and protection it offers, which explains why their inclination towards violence is always high (Taylor, 2014). The presence of weapons and drugs within the gang is a direct outcome of their motives and objectives. The most violent crimes involving firearms occur as a result of escalating conflicts between rival gangs. Numerous juvenile gangs consist of male street youths who come from fractured families. Many of these youths have previously resided in group homes or foster care before finding themselves on the streets.
A significant number of juvenile gangs have experienced physical violence from their guardians, parents, or have been bruised due to assault. Criminologists attribute street violence to poorly educated, economically disadvantaged, and often raised in unstable home
juvenile gangs (Scott & Maxson, 2016). These gangs are responsible for almost half of street crimes happening, which forms the foundation of street gang violence. Factors like poor health and poverty contribute to the engagement of juvenile gangs in street crimes.
Some crime experts believe that crime is primarily caused by the government's failure to support low-income families, which leads to widespread inequality and fosters anger and resentment. Conversely, other experts attribute crime to a lack of education. Young individuals, regardless of race, who receive inadequate education are more likely to develop an interest in criminal activities (Taylor, 2014). However, over time, some youth manage to improve their circumstances by obtaining decent jobs. Juveniles who experience racial disparity and inequality may feel desperate and resort to street crimes. Likewise, other experts posit that the environment and negative influences play a significant role (Franzese, Covey ; Menard, 2016).
The youth who join juvenile gangs perceive the social system as unjust, which lowers their self-esteem and drives their engagement in gang violence. Many young people are raised in a traditional society where they feel betrayed by the societal norms. Consequently, they experience feelings of guilt and depression, leading to a suppression of criminal behavior and withdrawing from society (Scott ; Maxson, 2016). These youths start to limit their choices and view gang violence as a preferable option to employment for meeting their material needs.
Gang violence is a complex issue with multiple causes, including psychological, economic, and social influences. In the United States, both juvenile crime and gang violence are major concerns influenced by the nation's economic, social, and cultural circumstances. Scott and Maxson (2016) state that recent economic hardships
have led to an upsurge in juvenile criminal activity. Moreover, Taylor (2014) highlights how impoverished socio-economic conditions contribute to an unfavorable social environment associated with gang violence.
The chances of becoming a victim of gang violence are much higher for juvenile gang members compared to members of other peer groups. Children frequently commit theft, and as they get older, they exhibit bad behaviors such as property destruction and rape (Franzese, Covey & Menard, 2016).
Most communities view gangs as permanent entities and learn to live with them instead of dismantling these gangs and addressing their root causes. Nowadays, gangs are formed for superficial reasons rather than the need for protection or community solidarity. Juvenile gangs were originally formed as a means of violent protection, and children become involved in gang violence at a young age (Franzese, Covey & Menard, 2016).
The most effective method for addressing juvenile gangs is through law enforcement agencies. The police should make every effort to manage the rising issue of gang violence stemming from juvenile street crimes. There are two primary strategies for achieving this: taking a proactive stance and penalizing individuals who are hardcore predatory juvenile gang members, as well as preventing recruitment and intervening at an early stage with those who are susceptible to joining a gang. Both approaches are particularly beneficial for impoverished societies that have endured significant levels of violence related to juvenile gangs (Scott & Maxson, 2016).
Both the police and the community should acknowledge that young individuals are at a greater risk of encountering gang violence, being in unsafe areas, and being near other offenders, which heightens their vulnerability to becoming victims. Policymakers must tackle the problem of
profiling and stereotyping of young people by the media when reporting on gang violence since the depiction is frequently exaggerated. Instead of simply classifying crimes, the media should offer insight into the motives behind these offenses. Additionally, lawmakers should take into account economic, social, and psychological factors that contribute to teenage involvement in gangs.
The issues of unemployment and child poverty need to be addressed (Scott & Maxson, 2016). It is important for all Americans to have a fair system through public policy and for everyone of working age to have access to employment.
References
- Franzese, R. J., Covey, H. C., & Menard, S. (2016). Youth gangs. Charles C Thomas Publisher.
- Scott, D. W., & Maxson, C. L. (2016).
The topic of the discussion is the presence of gangs and violence in youth correctional facilities. It specifically references an article titled "Gang organization and violence in youth correctional facilities" published in the Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice (Volume 2, Issue 2). Furthermore, it mentions a book called "Juvenile justice: Policies, programs, and practices" authored by R. Taylor in 2014 and published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
